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Tanzania takes over chairmanship of the regional forum on migration
Established in Nairobi in 2021, the RMFM brings together 11 countries from East and the Horn of Africa to advance a common regional approach towards harmonising labour migration governance.
Lt Gen. (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde, his Tanzanian counterpart, Deus Clement Sangu, and other dignitaries pose for a group photo at the close of a two-day Ministerial Meeting held in Dodoma, Tanzania, on August 18, 2026. (Courtesy)
By: Vision Reporter, Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda officially handed over the Chairmanship of the Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM) to the United Republic of Tanzania.
Established in Nairobi in 2021, the RMFM brings together 11 countries from East and the Horn of Africa to advance a common regional approach towards harmonising labour migration governance.
The handover took place on August 18, at the conclusion of the two-day Ministerial Meeting held in Dodoma.
Uganda’s delegation was led by Lt Gen. (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and included the Minister of State for Labour, Simon Mulongo, Mr Philip Kanyoonzi, Counsellor, who represented Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, plus officials from the Ministries of Labour and Social Development.
Uganda’s delegation was led by Lt Gen. (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and included the Minister of State for Labour, Simon Mulongo, Mr Philip Kanyoonzi, Counsellor, who represented Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, plus officials from the Ministries of Labour and Social Development.
A release from the Uganda High Commission Dar-es-Salaam states that the Forum commended Uganda for its two-year leadership, during which significant progress was made in strengthening regional ownership and sustainability of the Forum, including mobilising Partner States to contribute membership fees towards its operations, thereby reducing reliance on development partner support.
Lt Gen. Tumukunde handed over the RMFM Chairmanship to Deus Clement Sangu, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Employment and Relations of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Other dignitaries at the Forum included: representatives of Partner States and development partners, including IOM Director General Ms Amy Pope, ILO, IGAD and UNDP, as well as representatives of private employment agencies.
On the sidelines, Tumukunde held bilateral engagements with the IOM Director General, the ILO Regional Director and the UNDP Resident Representative in Tanzania, focusing on strategies to strengthen support for Uganda’s priorities in labour migration and employment.
Lt Gen. Tumukunde handed over the RMFM Chairmanship to Deus Clement Sangu, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Employment and Relations of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Other dignitaries at the Forum included: representatives of Partner States and development partners, including IOM Director General Ms Amy Pope, ILO, IGAD and UNDP, as well as representatives of private employment agencies.
On the sidelines, Tumukunde held bilateral engagements with the IOM Director General, the ILO Regional Director and the UNDP Resident Representative in Tanzania, focusing on strategies to strengthen support for Uganda’s priorities in labour migration and employment.