About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings
Introduction

This country profile describes well-developed areas and areas with potential for further development in the Republic of Uganda’s (hereafter Uganda) migration governance structures, as evaluated by the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, the whole-of-government approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimension of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with the support of the Economist Intelligence Unit.  Funding is provided by the Government of Sweden.

Key findings
Domain 1. Adherence to international standards and fulfilment of migrants' rights

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:

  • Refugees in Uganda have the right to self-employment under the same conditions as nationals, and upon registration, a piece of land is given to each refugee family for settlement and agricultural use. 
  • Uganda’s Refugees Act includes freedom of movement and access to social services for refugees and members of their families. 
  • Uganda’s Employment Act ensures the same employment opportunities for immigrants and members of their families as there are for Ugandan nationals.
  • Uganda is a party to numerous international conventions and frameworks that include the rights of migrants, including the Convention of the Rights of the Child, the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • There is no comprehensive framework, law or migration policy that clearly establishes or defines the access to public social services in Uganda for migrants who are not refugees. 
  • There are no agreements with other countries regarding portability of social security benefits.
Key findings
Domain 2: Whole of government approach

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:

  • A formal horizontal interministerial coordination mechanism, the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration, was established in 2015 and is led by the Office of the Prime Minister. It is comprised of key government agencies, international organizations, civil society organizations, and members of academia. 
  • There are legal and regulatory frameworks in place for immigration, emigration, internal displacement, forced displacement and human trafficking.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Current legislation governing the rights of immigrants living in Uganda could be further developed. 
  • Nevertheless, the Government of Uganda is in the process of drafting and adopting both a National Migration Policy and a National Diaspora Policy. 
Key findings
Domain 3: Partnerships

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:

  • Uganda is party to multilateral and regional partnerships including the East African Community (EAC) and the EAC Common Market. 
  • The Government of Uganda includes civil society actors in the development of migration policy, for example, through the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration. 

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • Where they do not already exist, treaties or memorandum of understanding could be negotiated with countries where Ugandan migrants are employed. 
  • Engagement and consultation with the private sector on agenda-setting on migration-related issues could also be expanded.
Key findings
Domain 4: Well-being of migrants

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • There is a lack of available information on the effects of emigration and immigration on the labour market.
  • Those immigrants with student visas are not allowed to work during their studies and there is no clear path to obtain a work permit after graduation. 
  • Remittance transfer costs to/from Uganda remain over seven per cent of the principal amount. 
Key findings
Domain 5: Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • Communication systems to receive information on the evolving nature of crises and how to access assistance do not address the specific vulnerabilities of migrants. 
  • There is currently no comprehensive policy or legislative framework that addresses environmental degradation and the adverse effects of climate change.
  • Data collection and analysis on the migration dimensions of crises is limited.
Key findings
DOMAIN 6: SAFE, ORDERLY AND REGULAR MIGRATION

Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas:

  • Border control and enforcement is managed centrally by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control. 
  • Visa applications can be completed online and prior to arrival in Uganda.
  • Uganda’s immigration website clearly indicates visa options and eligibility criteria. 

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • There is currently no formal government programme or strategy to reintegrate Ugandans emigrants returning to the country. 
  • There is scope for more comprehensive and up-to-date data on human trafficking. 

2018 May

Migration Governance Profile: The Republic of Uganda