By Lawrence Kooko
Government plans to introduce a digital tracking system for Ugandans who travel abroad for work under the labour externalisation programme.
State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Hon. Simon Mulongo, said the system is intended to help government know where Ugandan migrant workers are, how they are being treated, and how to reach them when they need help.
Speaking during a media briefing, Mulongo said every worker leaving the country for employment abroad will be registered on a digital platform before departure.
“We want to come up with a new electronic system to track and know the whereabouts of our labour communities, particularly those who are externalised,” Mulongo said.
He said many workers become hard to trace after leaving Uganda, especially in cases where recruitment agencies or employers take away their passports. According to the minister, the new system could include digital cards or other electronic tools to help workers stay connected to Ugandan authorities while abroad.
Mulongo said government is also engaging host countries and private labour recruitment companies to agree on a better system for monitoring Ugandan workers.
He added that Uganda will strengthen consular support in countries with large numbers of Ugandan workers, including the deployment of labour officers in areas where Uganda has limited diplomatic presence.
The minister said the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development will work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and security agencies to share information and ensure migrant workers are properly documented.
Mulongo also raised concern over the number of labour recruitment companies operating in the country. He said government will audit about 2,500 companies to establish whether they are licensed, active and compliant with the law.
He said some companies have been accused of taking money from job seekers without securing jobs for them, while others operate without proper registration.
The minister also pointed to cases of exploitation, trafficking and abuse of Ugandans abroad, including reports from conflict zones and the Middle East. He said government is using diplomatic channels to help affected Ugandans return home safely.
Mulongo said Uganda wants a more organised labour export system built around skills training, proper documentation and better protection of workers.
