Politics 17 August 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Ugandan MPs Scrutinize Ministry Over Unresolved Complaints from Overseas Workers
Lawmakers are questioning the government's effectiveness in addressing grievances from Ugandans working abroad, as a recent report reveals a low resolution rate for complaints filed with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development. Source: https://observer.ug/news/only-172-of-1012-complaints-filed-by-ugandans-abroad-resolved
Members of Parliament on the Central Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have expressed strong concerns regarding the government’s handling of issues faced by Ugandans employed in foreign countries. Their scrutiny follows the Auditor General’s report, which highlighted that out of 1,012 complaints lodged with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, only 172 had been resolved. This represents a resolution rate of just 17 percent for a range of issues including trafficking, job abandonment, deaths, and repatriation.
The committee, led by MPs like Betty Ethel Naluyima, specifically questioned the Permanent Secretary, Aggrey David Kibenge, about the ministry’s slow response. Figures presented showed that only one out of 101 reported trafficking cases was resolved, and none of the 290 cases involving workers who had abandoned their jobs were addressed. Similarly, none of the four reported illegal recruitment cases saw resolution.
Further concerns were raised about the effectiveness of bank guarantees required from recruitment agencies. While the ministry stated that licensed agencies must provide a Shs 100 million guarantee, MPs questioned what happens when these guarantees expire before complaints are settled. The ministry indicated that unlicensed agencies continue to operate, posing significant risks to job seekers.
Permanent Secretary Kibenge attributed some of the challenges to inadequate funding, despite the labour externalisation program generating substantial non-tax revenue. However, this explanation did not satisfy the MPs, who questioned whether funding alone accounted for the poor complaint resolution rates. They also stressed the need for better coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the deployment of dedicated labor officers at Ugandan embassies to support distressed migrant workers.
The lawmakers emphasized that for the government to effectively promote labour externalisation as an employment strategy, it must demonstrate a commitment to monitoring, resolving complaints promptly, and enforcing regulations against unlicensed agencies. Failing to do so undermines the protection of Ugandans seeking work abroad.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)