Uganda’s government is defending its labor externalization policy amid growing criticism that it is exporting unemployment rather than creating meaningful jobs at home.
Speaking during the Radical New Bar weekly media engagement at the Uganda Law Society headquarters in Kololo, Milton Turyasiima, Assistant Commissioner for Employment Services in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Externalization of Labour Programme.
The program, formally launched in 2005 and streamlined in 2016, aims to provide safe and regulated pathways for Ugandans to work abroad, primarily in the Middle East.
According to Turyasiima, over 300,000 Ugandans have been deployed through 258 licensed companies, earning an average of at least UGX 1 million per month.
The government also highlights $1.4 billion in annual remittances and UGX 29.6 billion in non-tax revenue collected between 2021 and mid-2024 as evidence of the program’s success.
Despite the formal pathways, many Ugandans continue to seek work abroad through unregulated and illegal channels, exposing them to risks including human trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.
The Ministry acknowledges that unlicensed agents continue to undermine the program, taking advantage of desperate job seekers who are unaware of or unable to access regulated options.
Critics at the event questioned whether Uganda is truly addressing the root causes of unemployment or simply outsourcing its labor force. Some observers noted that external employment is becoming a default solution rather than a temporary fix.
Despite government initiatives such as the Youth Livelihood Program, Uganda Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, and the Parish Development Model (PDM), youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, fueling the migration trend.
While some argue that well-managed labor migration can benefit the country through remittances, skills transfer, and exposure to international work environments, others warn that overdependence could prove risky.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of external labor markets, leaving many Ugandan workers stranded or jobless abroad.
As Uganda continues to expand its labor export agenda, stakeholders are calling for a national conversation on the future of work in Uganda.
Many are urging the government to strengthen worker protections, tighten regulation of recruitment agencies, and above all, invest in domestic job creation.
By Ben Musanje
7th Aug 2025
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