Uganda calls for inclusive and dignified migration policies

_____________

Speaking at the High-Level Segment of the 115th Session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council.

Esther Anyakun Davinia, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to advancing safe, orderly, and regular migration.

Uganda's team in Geneva states that the segment, themed “Regular Migration Pathways: A Global Call for Action,” provided a platform to address critical challenges and opportunities in global migration governance.

In her address, Anyakun underscored Uganda's leadership in advancing regional migration strategies, highlighting the nation's commitment to harmonized policies that promote labour mobility and address climate-induced displacement.

Anyakun also told the delegates that to enhance labour migration pathways, Uganda has signed bilateral labour agreements with countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, safeguarding the rights of its workers abroad. (Courtesy)

During the session, the minister also emphasized Uganda's active role in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and East African Community protocols which have facilitated the free movement of labour, goods, and services. 

Central to these efforts is the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change, a pioneering framework for addressing climate-induced migration comprehensively.

A release from Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Anyakun highlighted Uganda's open-door policy which continues to provide refuge for over 1.7 million refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants fleeing conflict, persecution, and natural disasters. 

"With frameworks aligned to international laws, Uganda ensures protection and integration into local communities, offering access to essential services and opportunities, said the minister. 

Uganda also takes a robust approach to combat irregular migration, leveraging the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, advanced technology, and multi-agency coordination to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable" she said.

Anyakun also told the delegates that to enhance labour migration pathways, Uganda has signed bilateral labour agreements with countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, safeguarding the rights of its workers abroad. Plans are underway to expand these agreements to high-skilled sectors, boosting economic returns for Ugandan citizens.

Anyakun (left) posing for a photo with one of the delegates. (Courtesy)

The MoFA media release states that Consular support services, including legal aid and emergency repatriation, remain critical to protecting Ugandans overseas.

To foster safe migration pathways and promote regional collaboration, the ministry with support from IOM aims at enhanced migration data collection and analysis to align national policies with global standards.

Anyakun used the platform to call for global collaboration to mobilize resources, align policies, and build resilient frameworks that facilitate safe migration. She reiterated Uganda’s dedication to integrating migrants into communities and promoting inclusive and dignified migration policies, ensuring no one is left behind.