Jessica Alupo launches National Migration Policy to protect Ugandans abroad and boost diaspora contribution

Vice President Jessica Alupo on Thursday launched Uganda’s National Migration Policy (NMP) 2025, a comprehensive framework aimed at transforming migration into a key driver of national development while protecting the rights of Ugandans working abroad.

The policy seeks to strengthen safeguards for migrant workers and maximise the economic benefits of Uganda’s diaspora, which now contributes more to the economy through remittances than foreign direct investment (FDI).

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda ranks among the top 10 recipients of remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the growing importance of migration to the country’s economy.

Protecting nearly 300,000 workers abroad

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Ali Ekwang Josephine Apili, head of legal and compliance at the immigration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said the policy reflects the large number of Ugandans working overseas, particularly in the Middle East.

Data from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (2024) shows that 293,973 registered Ugandan workers are currently employed in the Gulf region alone.

The policy introduces measures to address long-standing concerns about worker safety and exploitation. These include:

• Streamlining the licensing of recruitment companies

• Publishing quarterly lists of licensed agencies to eliminate rogue operators

• Introducing an e-labour monitoring system to track workers abroad

• Stationing immigration attachés at Ugandan embassies to provide direct consular support

Authorities also hope the policy will help curb human trafficking, which has been rising in recent years. Registered cases increased from 421 in 2021 to more than 1,000 in 2023.

Targets for revenue and migration management

Under the policy, the government has set ambitious targets to increase revenue generated from migration services over the next five years.

According to Dr. Ekwang, the government aims to:

• Increase Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) from migration services—such as passports, visas, permits, and citizenship applications—by 50%, from Sh336 billion in FY2023/24 to at least Sh504 billion by FY2027/28 through improved automation and enforcement.

• Boost NTR from labour externalisation services by 40%, from Sh30 billion in 2024 to at least Sh42 billion by FY2027/28, through better regulation, compliance monitoring, and digital systems.

Strengthening migration governance

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Joseph Musanyufu, said the policy’s success will depend on stronger institutions and better services for Ugandans both at home and abroad.

He noted that the framework will support:

• Improved services for Ugandans in the diaspora

• Stronger border governance

• Better management of refugees and displaced persons

• Increased contribution of migration to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation

Diaspora remittances expected to grow

The policy also aims to increase diaspora remittances by 20%, from $1.42 billion to $1.70 billion by 2029, through improved investment platforms and incentives.

In 2023 alone, Ugandan migrant workers sent home $1.4 billion (approximately Sh5.2 trillion).

Government officials say these inflows are steadily rising and now surpass foreign direct investment, making migration an increasingly important pillar for poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Dr. Ekwang added that the National Migration Policy introduces strategies to enhance financial inclusion and create targeted investment opportunities for families receiving remittances.