In a high-profile gathering that will bring together ministers of labor from the East and Horn of Africa, legislators are set to discuss crucial issues concerning labor migration in regional member states.
The Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM) is scheduled to take place from February 10 to 13, 2025, in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
Esther Anyakun, the state minister for labor, employment, and industrial relations, said the forum will focus on improving labor migration governance, protecting migrant workers’ rights, and promoting policies that foster safe and regular migration pathways.
“As a country, migration is among the primary issues of concern,” Anyakun stated. “We have a large influx of refugees, primarily from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside the challenges posed by irregular migration. These issues demand collective regional action.”
Speaking to journalists on January 6, 2025, at Uganda Media Centre, Anyakun highlighted Uganda’s pivotal role as the host nation in the prestigious dialogue.
“This is a remarkable milestone for our country, especially considering the importance of migration issues in our national agenda,” Anyakun said.
This will mark Uganda’s first time hosting the meeting, underscoring the country’s commitment to addressing migration challenges.
Uganda, which hosts over 1.6 million refugees, faces the dual challenge of managing migration and dealing with irregular channels of Ugandans seeking employment abroad, particularly in the Middle East.
“In recent years, many Ugandans have sought employment abroad through irregular channels, facing exploitation and forced labor. This forum provides a platform to discuss solutions for protecting our citizens,” she said.
The forum to be held under the theme Reframing the Narrative: Celebrating the Positive Impact of Labour Migration on Local Development and Economic Growth through Regular Pathways will consist of 11 countries, including Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania, among others.
“It is our hope that this meeting will create a unified, regional approach to labor migration, with concrete solutions for tackling challenges and expanding legal migration opportunities,” Anyakun added.
Uganda is grateful for the partnership and support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which has been instrumental in making this important event possible. The forum is expected to produce a joint statement reaffirming regional support for improved migration governance.
“I am confident that this forum will produce actionable outcomes that will benefit not just Uganda, but the entire region,” she said.
The Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM), established in January 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya, aims to improve migration governance and protect the rights of migrant workers in the region.
