Jobs in Uganda, particularly in the informal sector, are being increasingly taken by illegal immigrant workers, a situation exacerbated by enforcement lapses and administrative challenges. Auditor General Edward Akol’s December 2024 Annual Report highlights the alarming trend, shedding light on the inefficiencies in managing work permits and monitoring migrant labor.
Work Permits on the Rise Without Oversight
According to the report, the number of work permits issued in Uganda surged by 26% from 11,229 in 2020 to 14,185 in 2022. Despite this increase, resources allocated to monitor and regulate migrant workers did not grow correspondingly.
From 2020 to June 2023, approximately 6,035 work permits expired, but a staggering 85% of permit holders (5,048 individuals) failed to leave the country. Furthermore, between July 2019 and June 2023, 102 foreign nationals overstayed their permits and were fined. However, their employers faced no penalties, despite knowingly employing workers whose permits had expired.
This gap in enforcement has resulted in a fine shortfall of approximately Shs306 million, as reported by the Ugandan newspaper, The Monitor.
Impact on Jobs and Revenue
Illegal migrant labor has sparked concerns among Ugandan locals, particularly small business owners who feel the competition for limited job opportunities. The Auditor General’s report states that foreign nationals with expired permits often remain employed illegally, depriving the government of critical revenue and displacing local workers.
“Migrant labor creates competition for the few available jobs,” the report noted. “Several foreign nationals did not leave the country after their work permits expired, resulting in illegal employment and loss of revenue.”
Deportations and Regularizations
The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control has taken steps to address the issue. Between 2020 and June 2023, the directorate deported 2,403 illegal workers and regularized the status of 1,969 others. However, enforcement efforts remain hampered by staffing shortages.
Enforcement Challenges
Mr. Simon Mundeyi, spokesperson for the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, acknowledged the enforcement gaps. He revealed that while 2,000 officers are required to monitor work permits effectively, only 700 officers are currently available.
“Our limited staffing hinders our ability to monitor and follow up on expired permits and prevent illegal employment in petty work,” Mundeyi explained.
What’s Next?
The government’s focus now lies in improving enforcement capabilities and addressing administrative inefficiencies to curb the growing issue of illegal migrant workers. However, with enforcement efforts constrained by limited resources, the competition for local jobs in Uganda’s informal sector remains a pressing challenge.
