By Aggrey Baba
The government has warned Ugandans looking for jobs abroad to avoid unlicensed agents and travel companies, saying unsafe labour migration continues to expose many Ugandans to exploitation, fraud and human trafficking.
The warning was issued on Thursday, February 5th, 2026 at the National Media Centre, in Kampala, by the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Hon.Esther Anyakun Davinia, as she launched the Safe Labour Migration Awareness Campaign under the theme “Travel Safe. Stay Safe,” a campaign being led by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Anyakun said many Ugandans (especially young people) are leaving the country in search of work without proper information, valid contracts or government clearance, placing their lives and dignity at risk.
“Labour migration can open doors to opportunity, but when done illegally or through the wrong channels, it becomes dangerous.”
She explained that Uganda’s labour force is growing fast, with between 600,000 and 700,000 people joining the job market every year, more than 95% of whom are youths. Because local jobs are not growing at the same speed, many young people are turning to foreign employment as an option.
To manage this reality, government introduced the Externalization of Labour Programme in 2005, allowing Ugandans to work abroad through regulated and legal systems, mainly using licensed recruitment companies or individual job arrangements approved by the ministry.
According to the minister, 246 recruitment companies are currently licensed to place Ugandans in jobs abroad, mainly in Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Anyakun said that when followed properly, the programme has helped reduce unemployment and brought in money to the country.
Government estimates show that migrant workers sent home about 1.3 billion U.S dollars last year, while about 280,000 jobs were created through labour export, while between 2016 and 2024.
However, the minister noted that illegal recruitment, fake job offers and misuse of tourist visas remain a major problem.
She warned that tours and travel companies are not allowed to take Ugandans abroad for work, even if they advertise heavily on social media. Anyakun also cautioned against dealing with individual agents, saying government only licenses companies, not people.
Ugandans planning to work abroad were advised to first verify recruitment companies and job orders using the ministry’s official system, EEMIS, or through district labour officers. They were also urged to ensure they travel on employment visas, sign contracts before departure, and share those contracts with family members.
The minister said all migrant workers must sign contracts that guarantee pay, medical care, compensation in case of injury, and proper handling in case of death. Domestic workers (Kadamas) are also required to undergo a mandatory 14-day training before leaving.
Asked about government efforts to assist Ugandan migrant worker Vicky Ajok, who is accused of killing her boss in Syria, Anyakun said government had engaged the Egyptian embassy to explore possible avenues of support, since Uganda does not have a mission in Syria.
She cautioned Ugandans seeking work abroad to travel only to countries where Uganda has signed Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLA) noting that many Ugandans (Ajok included) use unlicensed and illegal recruiters, ending up in countries like Syria where it becomes difficult for government to trace them or intervene when problems arise. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
