world 12 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Unconcerned by Kuwait Labour Ban Amidst Strong Remittance Flows
Uganda's government remains unbothered by Kuwait's recent ban on recruiting domestic workers from the country, asserting that it does not affect formal labor agreements and highlighting the strong influx of remittances from Ugandans working abroad. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-unfazed-by-kuwait-labour-ban-as-middle-east-remittances-hit-shs3-trillion-5493596
Kuwait’s decision to halt domestic worker recruitment from Uganda and 26 other nations has been met with a composed response from the Ugandan government. Officials emphasize that this ban will not disrupt the country’s official labour externalization programs, as Uganda lacks formal bilateral agreements with the Gulf state.
Aggrey Kibenge, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, clarified that Uganda only facilitates labour migration to countries with which it has signed formal pacts. “Since we don’t have any agreement with Kuwait, we are not affected. Those who go there must be going on their own,” Kibenge stated. This implies that Ugandans travelling to Kuwait for work are doing so independently, outside the government’s official channels.
Despite the lack of formal ties, historical data suggests that hundreds of Ugandans have previously sought employment in Kuwait. The new restrictions underscore the risks faced by individuals working without formal protections. Uganda currently has active labour agreements with other Middle Eastern destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE.
The Middle East continues to be a significant economic contributor to Uganda. Migrant workers in the region send home an estimated $822 million annually, constituting about a third of Uganda’s total remittances. This financial inflow is crucial for foreign exchange, investment, and household income, even as President Museveni has voiced concerns about the exodus of Ugandans seeking employment abroad.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior recently announced it would only recruit domestic workers from 10 approved nations, excluding Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Nigeria, among others. The decision follows recommendations from Kuwait’s health and foreign affairs ministries, aimed at regulating its domestic labour sector.