External labour stakeholders propose major reforms to govt
The proposed reforms come as more than 2,400 Ugandan migrant workers remain held in deportation centres in Gulf countries following the suspension of labour export, underscoring the need for stronger regulation and protection of workers.
Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Simon Mulongo (second left), during a meeting with members of the External Labour Agencies of Uganda (ELAU) at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on August 10, 2026. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)
__________________ A cross-section of members of the External Labour Agencies of Uganda (ELAU) during the presentation of their proposals to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on August 10, 2026. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)
In an effort to streamline the operations of the external labour sector, stakeholders have proposed major reforms, including making it mandatory to train immigrants for three months before they leave the country.
The stakeholders also requested government to put in place recognised reception centres in countries of deployment.
The proposals were contained in a report compiled by External Labour Agencies, which was presented to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on August 10 at the ministry headquarters in Kampala. The state minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Simon Mulongo, received the proposals on behalf of the senior minister, Lt Gen. (rtd) Henry Tumukunde.
The chairperson of the External Labour Agencies of Uganda (ELAU) committees, Judith Amoit, said the proposed changes will bring sanity and stop people from spoiling the labour export business.
Amoit also urged government to consider registering all labour agencies afresh to weed out the wrong elements.
The ELAU legal expert, Nadya Nyakwera, said they had created eight committees: Taxation, Information Technology (ICT), Training, Advisory, Embassy coordinator, Ethiopian Model, Job Creation and Legal.
Nyakwera said in 2005 the Ugandan government started external labour export to prevent trafficking and unemployment.
She appealed to government to borrow a leaf from the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments on how they support immigrant agencies instead of only waiting to tax them.
Nyakwera reported that to-date, there were 228 licensed companies, which were legally vetted by government agencies, including the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT). She said these firms were found to be credible and tax compliant.
Currently, over 2,400 immigrants are held up in deportation centres in the Gulf States for three weeks since the ban on labour export was issued following the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo in May this year. The Ebola Bundibugyo disease outbreak was declared on May 15, after infected individuals crossed into Uganda from the DR Congo.
Responding to the agencies' requests, minister Mulongo said government will internalise their proposals and convene a meeting with the committee leaders soon and agree on the way forward.
“We would like to work in a manner that interests others. We are going to champion immigration issues and have a clear way of doing business," he said.
Mulongo said government aware of the unemployment issues facing the country, but noted that they want measures to be put in place to regulate the labour export business.
George Ekuma, the executive director of Gesfy Grace Freight Forwarders Limited, a labour export firm, welcomed the government idea of exporting professionals.
However, Ekuma asked government to harmonise the issue of academic standards, arguing that some countries have set standards for qualifications that must be adhered to.