Building Robust Labour Market Systems and Supporting Returned Migrants in Uganda

Strengthening Labour Market Information System in Uganda

During the meeting between ILO and UBOS on 12 December 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, UBOS acknowledged the ILO’s critical support in enhancing the capacity of UBOS and MGL through providing LMIS tools and equipment as well as capacity building of its staff on SDMX tools and Google Sheet form creation. Currently, the UBOS is planning to incorporate labour market and migration modules into its quarterly Labour Force Survey. Harmonization of Labour migration indicators data from different stakeholders into LMIS, and the time-lapse in applying the data modelling and SDMX procedures for the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) are the gaps stated by UBOS. 

The MGLSD recognized the ILO BRMM support to strengthen LMIS and its reintegration support for returned migrants. Lack of strong database to capture returned migrants’ data was raised as  major gaps and the MGLSD has been working with different partners to address it through integrating returnees’ data into the existing databases. 

Empowering returned migrants in Uganda 

In a meeting held on 10 – 13 December 2024 in Kampala, Uganda with Wezesha Impact's senior management and technical staff and discussed the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training progress, business development services for trainees, implementation gaps and next steps in driving economic empowerment for returned migrants. In order to ensure quality of the SIYB training,  Wezesha Impact recruited 16 SIYB Certified Trainers and three Master trainers, printed out and utilized sufficient SIYB materials and tools, assigned two trainers for 25 trainees, trainers’ ability to deliver sessions in local languages, selection of favourable training locations and conducted continuous monitoring and follow up using  standard reporting templates are some of the action taken to increase training quality. Furthermore, all SIYB participants had developed business plans using standardized templates, a best practice that illustrates the program's structured approach.

The absence of a database for documenting returned migrants' data, dropout rates, delays in SIYB and financial education trainings and business development support provision are identified gaps. Wezesha Impact plans to offer SIYB training to those who dropped out in the second cohort and financial education training and business development support services for the target 400 returned migrants until February 2025.

One of the mission’s highlights was meeting a returned migrant who successfully started a business right after completing the SIYB training. This success story illustrated the program's positive impact in enabling individuals to become self-sufficient and make contributions to the local economy.

The Finance Trust Bank set to facilitate cash transfers and orientation sessions on their existing products to improve beneficiaries access to finance. The bank will also introduce tailored loan products for returned migrants, addressing critical barriers such as high interest rates, collateral requirements, and loan repayment duration. These tailored products are expected to help trainees access finance more easily to start or improve their businesses.

                  Strengthened partnership with Social partners in Uganda

Further engagements with the Federation of Ugandan Employers (FUE), National Organizations of Trade Union (NOTU) and the Uganda Association of External Recruitment Agencies (UAERA) centred on migrant protection and the reintegration challenges faced by returned migrants. FUE emphasized its role in creating a conducive environment for reintegration, the ongoing assessment on Role of Employers in Improving Labour Migration Governance in Uganda while UAERA discussed its ongoing efforts to support migrants through BRMM project activities. The discussion with NOTU revolved around the BRMM project support for Union-to-Union Cooperation between NOTU and South Sudan Federation of Trade Union (SSFTU) and challenges related to returned migrants' data. NOTU has established a case management system for workers and discussed on how the returned migrants can be benefited from the system.

The mission concluded with a commitment to addressing identified challenges and leveraging existing strengths to enhance the program's impact. Key priorities include expediting implementation of LMIS and re-integration supports, SIYB and financial education training, Business Development Support Services and finalizing the development of the loan products for returned migrants, and strengthening partnerships with stakeholders like FUE, NOTU, UAERA, and government offices to ensure that returned migrants are equipped with the skills, resources, and support needed to rebuild their lives and contribute to Uganda’s economic growth.