By Kayonde Abdallah
Uganda faces a growing crisis: many returnee migrant workers, instead of reintegrating as community leaders, are becoming traffickers, preying on their fellow citizens.
This alarming trend stems from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development’s failure to formally recognize Ugandan migrant workers’ leadership as a critical stakeholder in the labour migration sector.
Each year, thousands of Ugandans return from working abroad, eager to invest, settle, and rebuild. Yet, they face a system that offers little support for reintegration or influence over migration policies.
Frustrated and marginalized, some remain undocumented in destination countries, while others exploit vulnerabilities, forming informal networks that traffic and exploit aspiring migrants.
These networks, often operating through social media and word-of-mouth, promise lucrative jobs backed by dubious connections. Instead, victims are funneled into exploitative agencies or sent to countries without bilateral labour agreements or job clearances.
The consequences are dire: illegal migration, sexual abuse, exploitation, and deportation, tarnishing Uganda’s global reputation and endangering its citizens.
The root cause is clear: Uganda lacks a tripartite labour migration framework that includes government, employers, and migrant workers’ representatives.
International labour standards, such as those from the International Labour Organization, emphasize recognizing migrant workers’ leadership to ensure accountability, transparency, and protection.
The Ministry must act urgently to formally recognize structures like the Federation of Ugandan Migrant Workers Associations (FUMWA).
This step would empower migrant leaders to:
- Guide and support returnees and prospective migrants.
- Monitor and regulate recruitment practices.
- Collaborate with government and employers to protect workers’ rights.
- Disrupt illegal trafficking networks through accountability.
A recognized leadership body would foster a sense of community and trust, reducing reliance on dangerous informal channels.
It would also strengthen the Ministry’s efforts in data collection, policy development, and enforcement—key priorities outlined in recent government reports on migrant worker protection.
Uganda has taken steps forward, including bilateral agreements with Jordan and Saudi Arabia and plans for a national migrant worker database.
Yet, without migrant workers’ voices at the table, these efforts will fall short.
Formally recognizing migrant workers’ leadership is not just a policy option—it is a moral and practical necessity. It will protect Ugandans from exploitation, curb trafficking, and restore dignity to those seeking better lives abroad.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development must act now to integrate migrant workers into labour migration governance, for the sake of our people and our nation’s future.
The writer is the president, Migrant Workers’ Voice