The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) recently provided training to more than 25 registered labor externalization companies operating in Uganda. Ms. Margaret Ejang, the Secretary to the Commission, disclosed during the training session on September 28, 2023, that this initiative stemmed from previous engagements with the business community concerning human rights.
According to Ms. Ejang, these engagements revealed that significant efforts have been made by the government, non-governmental partners, the private sector, and relevant stakeholders to formalize, regulate, and monitor labor externalization. The goal is to combat unemployment and underemployment effectively. One major challenge identified was the lack of awareness regarding human rights, policies, and the legal framework governing labor externalization. The current training for recruitment companies is a strategic step towards implementing recommendations.
Ms. Ejang emphasized that respecting human rights is not costly or counterproductive, contrary to some business perspectives. She stressed the importance of recognizing that labor involves individuals whose human dignity must be upheld.
Before the training, Mr. Byonabye Kamadi, the Director of Research, Education, and Documentation (RED), explained the UHRC’s mandate, its history, and the responsibilities of recruitment agencies as citizens, as stated in Article 17 of the Constitution and the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. He highlighted that individuals exported for employment also have rights and responsibilities under their contracts.
Mr. Kamadi informed the representatives that in the 2026 general elections, all Ugandans abroad, including those working as house managers in Saudi Arabia, will be eligible to vote. However, some representatives raised concerns about the practicality of this due to their work schedules and the difficulty of leaving their employers to vote.
Regarding this issue, Mr. Kamadi stated that the logistics for exercising voting rights will be worked out between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Electoral Commission. He emphasized that recognizing the right to vote for overseas citizens is the first step.
Senior Human Rights Officer Ms. Rosemary Kemigisha discussed human rights concepts, including the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA), which places people at the center of decision-making. She emphasized that development is an obligation to fulfill human rights and can become a legal claim under HRBA. Ms. Kemigisha urged the representatives to be aware of the UN Conventions’ ratification status in the countries where they send labor, as a direct appeal to the UN might be necessary in case of issues.
Representatives of recruitment companies raised concerns about the limited number of embassies, including one in Riyadh, responsible for immigration issues for multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia. They highlighted challenges in providing timely assistance due to long distances and language barriers.
Ms. Dora Nanteza from the Department of Labor Externalization in the Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development explained the various licensing and regulatory frameworks governing labor externalization in Uganda. She clarified that before suspending a company’s license, they allow operators to respond to allegations.
The training concluded with recommendations for the UHRC to organize a high-level meeting involving Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and other senior officials to streamline the operations of labor externalization companies.
