The government has rolled out tougher rules to protect Ugandans travelling to work in the Middle East, responding to growing concerns about abuse, fraud and unsafe recruitment practices.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development says the new framework is aimed at making overseas employment safer, more transparent and more accountable for the thousands of workers heading to countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Launching the reforms at the Uganda Media Centre under the theme Travel Safe. Stay Safe, State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Esther Anyakun Davinia said labour externalisation has brought significant benefits but also serious risks. Since 2016, the programme has created more than 280,000 jobs and generates about $1.3 billion in remittances annually, yet many workers remain vulnerable to exploitation.
At the centre of the reforms is a new four-party employment contract that binds the worker, the foreign employer, the local recruitment agency and the government. Under this system, recruitment companies will be held jointly responsible for the welfare and safety of Ugandans they place abroad.
The ministry has also introduced mandatory safeguards, including a 14-day pre-departure orientation for domestic workers and the establishment of a Migrant Worker Resource Centre to provide guidance on workers’ rights, dispute resolution and reintegration upon return.
To tighten supervision, the government has digitised recruitment oversight through the External Employment Management Information System. The platform allows job seekers to confirm whether recruitment companies and job offers are licensed and approved before signing any agreements. According to the ministry, the system is funded partly by Shs34.2 billion in non-tax revenue collected from recruitment licensing and contract attestation fees over the past four years.
Anyakun cautioned Ugandans against responding to job adverts posted by tours and travel companies or individuals operating on social media, noting that only licensed recruitment agencies are authorised to place workers abroad. She stressed that applicants for domestic work should not be charged any recruitment fees.
The ministry has also strengthened reporting and emergency response mechanisms, including the Sauti 116 helpline and an online complaints platform, to allow workers and their families to report abuse or contract violations quickly.
Ugandans seeking jobs abroad were urged to travel strictly on employment visas and to share signed contracts with their families before departure.
