Ugandans working abroad generate about 1.6 billion US dollars annually, making labour exports an increasingly important source of foreign exchange alongside tourism, remittances and merchandise exports.

Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Professor Augustus Nuwagaba says about 900 million dollars of the earnings come from unskilled Ugandans, mainly working in the Middle East, while skilled professionals working in countries such as the United States generate about 700 million dollars.

Ugandan workers are employed mainly in countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the United States.

Speaking on Friday at a town hall meeting at White Horse Inn Hotel in Kabale District, Nuwagaba said labour externalisation is becoming increasingly important to Uganda’s external sector.

He said income earned by Ugandans abroad supports household spending, contributes to the country’s foreign exchange position and strengthens the current account.

Nuwagaba, however, said Uganda could earn significantly more from labour exports if more workers acquired skills that would enable them to compete for professional and managerial positions.

He called on the government and other stakeholders to strengthen vocational and professional training so that Ugandans can acquire marketable skills before leaving the country for employment abroad.

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