War in Middle East cuts Ugandan migrant worker departures by more than half
The ministry says the conflict and subsequent disruption of air transport have reduced the average number of Ugandans departing for jobs in the Middle East from about 850 every week to 400, leaving recruitment agencies facing financial losses and migrant workers stranded.
Conflict and disrupted air transport have cut the number of Ugandans leaving for jobs in the Middle East from about 850 to 400 weekly, the ministry says. (File)
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The ongoing war involving Iran, Israel and the United States has cut the number of Ugandan migrant workers travelling to the Middle East by more than half, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The ministry says the conflict and subsequent disruption of air transport have reduced the average number of Ugandans departing for jobs in the Middle East from about 850 every week to 400, leaving recruitment agencies facing financial losses and migrant workers stranded.
The figures are contained in the ministry’s latest report on labour migration and efforts to combat trafficking in persons.
Uganda sends most of its migrant workers to Middle Eastern countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman.
The Coordination Office for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (COPTIP) said the countries have become vulnerable to attacks because they host US military air bases, with the resulting insecurity disrupting international travel.
“The bombings disrupted the movement of migrant workers since most flights were cancelled or suspended,” the report says.
According to the ministry, some Ugandans who had completed their employment contracts were unable to return home as scheduled, while others who were preparing to leave Uganda for work had their journeys delayed.
“Before these disruptions, on average, 850 migrants were departing every week to the Middle East countries. Currently, on average, 400 migrants depart every week,” the report says.
The ministry said it sympathises with recruitment agencies that have suffered financial losses because of the disruption.
The sharp decline in labour migration comes amid wider concerns over the safety of Ugandans seeking employment abroad, particularly through irregular recruitment channels.
The report warns that irregular externalisation of labour to countries including Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Russia has increased, alongside cases of fraud in the labour externalisation sector.
Such illegal deployments, the ministry says, make it difficult for Ugandan authorities to trace affected workers or provide them with consular assistance when they encounter problems abroad.
The concerns come as Uganda continues to deal with human trafficking and exploitation of migrant workers.
The National Report on Countering Trafficking in Persons in Uganda for 2025 shows that 1,002 trafficking cases were reported to police last year, representing a 6.18% decline from the 1,068 cases reported in 2024.
The report attributes the decline partly to increased public awareness and sensitisation campaigns against trafficking, as well as increased enforcement by police and prosecutors.
Children remained the largest category of victims, accounting for 555 cases, or 55.38%, while adults accounted for 447 cases, representing 44.61%.
Of the 1,002 cases reported to police, 615 were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for perusal and legal advice.
The ODPP subsequently took 393 cases to court, resulting in 42 convictions. Five cases ended in acquittals, 21 were dismissed, while 325 cases were still pending in court.
The ministry said it has strengthened protection and assistance for Ugandans abroad through its diplomatic missions in countries including India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Through its missions in Malaysia and India, the ministry has also negotiated penalty waivers for trafficked Ugandans who overstayed and facilitated the renewal of travel documents.
More than 600 Ugandans trafficked to Cambodia and Myanmar have so far been repatriated through the Uganda Mission in Malaysia in coordination with the International Organization for Migration and other partners.
On March 2, 2026, Uganda held its first Joint Technical Committee meeting with UAE authorities to operationalise a bilateral labour migration agreement signed in 2019.
However, the follow-up physical meeting was frustrated by the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
The ministry identifies the UAE as a leading destination for irregular labour migration, saying regular migration to the country remains lower than irregular migration.
Officials hope that operationalising the agreement will help reduce irregular migration and strengthen protection for Ugandan workers.
The government has also intensified action against illegal recruitment agencies.
In March, the ministry, supported by Kampala Metropolitan Police, conducted operations in Kawempe, Nansana and Rubaga, leading to the arrest of six directors of suspected illegal recruitment agencies.
The suspects were subsequently charged before Nansana and Mengo Magistrates’ Courts, with their trials ongoing.
The ministry said it will continue public awareness campaigns on safe labour migration, while strengthening legal recruitment pathways and support services for Ugandans seeking jobs abroad.
In March 2025, it launched the Migrant Workers Support Centre to provide labour support, referral and protection services to migrant workers throughout their migration journey.
The ministry has also established digital complaints channels and conducted media campaigns to educate Ugandans on identifying genuine recruitment agencies and avoiding fraudulent job offers.
Permanent secretary Lt Gen. Joseph Musanyufu said the government’s focus in 2026 will remain on public awareness, strengthening the capacity of investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers, and improving coordination among agencies involved in combating trafficking in persons.
The ministry says the ultimate goal is to ensure that Ugandans migrate through safe, regular and humane labour pathways despite the emerging security and geopolitical disruptions.