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The Ministry of Gender Data has revealed that Uganda earned over Shs25 billion ($6.49 million) from labor exports. The East African country was able to generate this revenue within two years. During this time, 120,459 workers left Uganda to find work outside of the country, and Saudi Arabia appears to be a favorite destination for this group.
According to The Monitor, Uganda earned Shs24.5 billion from labor exports between January 2022 and December 2023. The majority of the revenue came from interest fees, fines, accreditations, job orders (local and foreign), and license fees.
Uganda earned Shs324 million from local job orders during the review period, while the government received Shs24.1 billion from international job orders.
More than 60% of the Shs24.5 billion revenue earned occurred in 2022, with Uganda earning Shs17 billion that year and Shs7 billion in 2023. This mismatch stems from issues caused by the delay in renewing a deal with Saudi Arabia.
The report also revealed that 390 companies were licensed for Shs2 million, netting the country $780 million. The government received Shs21 million in accreditation costs, Shs58.8 million in expression of interest payments, and Shs72 million from fines.
Saudi Arabia was Uganda’s largest labor importer, accounting for approximately 89.1%, or 107,448 migrant workers.
Other countries that get Ugandan labor include Qatar (5.05%, or 6,086), the UAE (4,457 Ugandan laborers), Somalia (1,108), Iraq (1,081), Kuwait (262), and Bahrain (6. The most common jobs for these Ugandan migrant workers include housekeepers, security guards, drivers, cleaners, waiters, and waitresses.
The Monitor’s data-driven analysis indicated that of the 120,459 Ugandan laborers who left the country in pursuit of work, 77.5%, or 109,773, were women, while men accounted for 22.5%, or 10,686.
In a country of around 45 million people, labor exportation remains one of Uganda’s principal sources of employment, assisting the government in significantly lowering the country’s unemployment rate.
