Kampala, Uganda – April 23, 2025 – The Ugandan government is drafting amendments to existing employment laws to reserve specific jobs for Ugandan citizens, in a bid to reduce reliance on foreign labour and increase opportunities for local workers.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, during the 3rd Annual National Labour Convention and Expo held in Kampala. The convention brought together key stakeholders in the labour sector to discuss ways of strengthening compliance with national employment laws.
“There are too many non-Ugandans in our factories,” Minister Amongi said, expressing concern over the growing number of foreign nationals occupying positions that could be held by Ugandans. “When we go there and ask why, the reason given is that Ugandans lack the necessary skills.”
She noted that President Yoweri Museveni has acknowledged the issue and prioritized skilling in the upcoming National Development Plan (NDP IV). “We are working with employers to ensure that our workers are skilled, making it easier to implement the upcoming Employment Amendment Act,” she added.
The proposed legal changes are aimed at strengthening the rights of Ugandan workers and encouraging investment in local human capital, especially in foreign-owned factories and enterprises operating in the country.
Minister Amongi emphasized that collaboration with employers and training institutions will be key to the success of this initiative, as Uganda seeks to build a competitive and skilled workforce ready to take on industrial and technical roles.
The move is expected to ignite debate among stakeholders in the private sector, especially within industries heavily reliant on foreign expertise. However, the government maintains that this strategy is necessary to promote sustainable employment and economic growth for Ugandans.
