Dedicate more funds to safety of Middle East-based Ugandans on Kyeyo, MPs tell govt

KAMPALA - Members of Parliament have urged the Government to enhance safeguards for citizens working abroad.

The lawmakers say migrant labourers, many of whom are in the Gulf region, face critical safety and legal vulnerabilities despite generating billions in national revenue.

The MPs made the call during parliamentary budget deliberations this week, where they highlighted what they term as severe underfunding in migrant protection mechanisms amid rising human rights concerns. 

Kiboga District Woman MP Christine Nakimwero said migrant welfare "is crucial" as these workers "contribute a lot to our economy".

"We are very concerned because when it comes to migrant workers, almost everyone has a relative working in the Gulf region," she said during the March 3, 2026, session.

"Government agencies are responsible for offering legal support while they are abroad."

Nakimwero specifically linked these concerns to Uganda’s 2026/27 Budget Framework Paper presented March 3, noting: "We have relatives working in Jordan, Dubai and other Middle East states. It is our role as legislators to look into what is missing and incorporate it into the Budget Framework Paper."

"When we look at the budget allocations on labour externalisation, it is falling short in catering for important issues regarding safety. They [are] insecure and lack legal representation to protect [them] from employers who violate their labour rights." 

Gilbert Agaba

The MP detailed what they termed as systemic gaps, revealing that "embassies are not funded enough money to allow them to monitor their oversight roles," while unscrupulous recruitment agencies profit through "non-tax revenues."

Though the sector generates "shillings 30 billion annually to the gender, labour and development ministry," she argued, "the Government has failed to invest even a quarter towards their safety."

Nakimwero called for money invested in monitoring migrant workers. "We need to provide safe houses in case a labourer has issues abroad—she/he should have somewhere to rest."

Her remarks align with Uganda’s newly adopted 2025 National Policy for Migrant Workers, which is non-functional due to funding shortages, according to Voices for Labour executive director Robinah Kagoye.

"Labour is becoming an economic strategy commodity that deserves protection," Kagoye said, noting that 92% of Uganda’s 15.5 million workers operate in the informal economy under "vulnerable conditions."

Agnes Kunihira, the chairperson of Parliament’s gender and labour committee, exposed enforcement failures during workplace inspections.

"If you visit [employers], management will delay you from reaching workplaces as they reorganise," she said.

Private conversations with workers, according to Kunihira, uncover "harsh conditions with low pay."

She stressed that migrant welfare requires co-ordinated action across ministries.