Kampala, Uganda 10 February 2025 – Ministers of Labour and senior officials from 11 countries across East and Horn of Africa convene in Uganda this week for the 6th meeting of the Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM). The meeting, from 10 to 13 February, will also have representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), East African Community (EAC), African Union Commission (AUC), donors and UN agencies working on labour and social protection policy.

It has drawn participation from 11 countries: the Republic of Burundi, Republic of Djibouti, State of Eritrea, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of The Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Uganda, the current RMFM Chair. 

Addressing the media in Kampala ahead of the meeting, Uganda’s Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Hon. Esther Anyakun Davinia, said the Kampala meeting was timely as migration was a key issue of concern for Uganda. “We have a large influx of refugees, mainly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and of course other countries in the region which puts a strain on the country's resources” Anyakun said.

Uganda hosts over 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers, the highest number of refugees in any African country. The minister pointed out that Uganda, like other countries in the region, also faces other migration challenges, including use of irregular channels by people seeking employment abroad, particularly in the Middle East, where they face risks of exploitation and forced labour.

She says Uganda is delighted to host the 6th RMFM meeting, which aligns with President Museveni’s vision of a “region that acts together” to address common problems.

"The meeting will explore joint efforts that are needed to create forward-looking, comprehensive, long-term solutions for the establishment, expansion, and enhancement of regular labour pathways,” the minister said.

Under the theme “Reframing the Narrative: Celebrating the Positive Impact of Labour Migration on Local Development and Economic Growth through Regular Pathways”, officials will discuss the various facets of regular labour migration pathways and how these can foster positive contributions to local development and economic growth.    

Starting 10 February, five expert Technical Working Groups (TWG) will review progress made along the RMFM workplan and document best practices in enhancing labour migration governance across the East and Horn of Africa. In addition, the Regional Technical Advisory, comprised of high-level representatives from two Regional Economic Committees – the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the East African Community – and from each of the 11 Member States will meet and reflect on the proceedings of the TWG meetings and discuss self-financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability of the RMFM. 

The High Ministerial Forum on 13 February will bring together Ministers of Labour from the East and Horn of Africa to discuss the progress made over the past year. As in years past, the Ministers are anticipated to sign a Joint Statement reconfirming their support for a regional approach to labour migration governance.  

The RMFM was established in January 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya where East & Horn of Africa Member States signed a communique and a Call to Action on 'Harmonizing Labour Migration Policies in EHOA.'  

“As IOM, we have no doubt that enhancing collective action on labour migration matters through stronger cooperation and coordination of regional states is worth giving every effort for. We are grateful for the solid leadership of the Government of Uganda for this RMFM meeting, and for the support of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO),” said Frantz Celestin, IOM Regional Director for East, Horn & Southern Africa. 

IOM, the UN Migration Agency, continues to support countries in East and Horn of Africa in enhancing labour migration governance.  The RMFM meeting is supported by IOM’s Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, a partnership funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It underscores the commitment of stakeholders to improving migration governance and maximizing the positive impacts of labour migration.  

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For more information and media enquiries please contact:   

In Nairobi: IOM Regional Office, East, Horn and Southern Africa, Media & Communication Unit:  ronairobimcu@iom.int, Tel:  +254797735977 

In Kampala: Richard M Kavuma: rmkavuma@iom.int, Tel:  +256 772 709 917