By John Okello Lapok
Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has launched the National Migration Policy 2025, to manage Uganda’s Internal, Regional, and International migration flows for poverty reduction and sustainable growth.
The multi-sectoral framework was approved by Cabinet in August 2025, to unite relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in coordinated migration governance to support national development.
Launched Under the theme “Harnessing Migration for Development through Inclusive and Coordinated Governance”, the policy aims to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration while protecting migrant rights, enhancing border management, addressing labour migration challenges, and integrating migration into broader development plans.
The VP said today’s launch is not merely unveiling of another government document but a declaration of Uganda’s commitment to manage migration in a manner that is orderly, secure, humane, and beneficial to our country and our people.
‘’I therefore commend the Ministry of Internal Affairs for providing leadership in this process and also congratulate all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, our technical teams, development partners, civil society, and all stakeholders whose effort, patriotism and dedication have made this day possible,’’ she said.
Alupo noted that Migration is as old as humanity itself because People move in search of safety, opportunity, trade, education, family reunion, and a better future.
‘’In our time, migration has become one of the most important issues shaping nations, economies and societies across the world,’’ she said.
The Vice President highlighted that Uganda, by virtue of its history, geography and regional position, is deeply connected to these migration dynamics.
‘’We are a country of movement, exchange, hospitality and resilience. We are a nation that hosts people in need, supports regional integration, and contributes to labour mobility, trade and human development,’’ Alupo said.
Alupo called upon all stakeholders to address the complex realities that accompany migration, including irregular migration, human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, transnational crime, refugee pressures, and the need for stronger systems of coordination and migration data management.
IT’S SIGNIFICANCE
The Vice President said the National Migration Policy comes at the right time as it responds to a real national need.
‘’It gives Uganda, for the first time, a comprehensive policy framework to guide how migration is governed and how its benefits can be maximized for national development, while its risks are better managed,’’ she said.
Alupo particularly commended the Policy for it recognizes a very important truth:-migration is not only an immigration issue.
She noted that migration is a national issue because according to her, it concerns security, labour, foreign affairs, local government, justice, health, education, planning, trade, environment, and the welfare of our citizens both at home and abroad.
“For that reason, this Policy reflects a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. It affirms that effective migration governance requires coordination, shared responsibility, and sustained commitment across institutions and sectors” she said.
She was pleased to note that the Policy is aligned with the country’s national priorities under the Constitution, Uganda Vision 2040, and the National Development Plan.
‘’It is equally responsive to our regional and international obligations. In this respect, the Policy places Uganda firmly on the path of responsible, modern and forward-looking migration governance,’’ Alupo said.
She stressed that when well-managed, migration contributes to development through remittances, investment, innovation, labour mobility, trade linkages, tourism, knowledge exchange, and diaspora engagement.
She underscored that fact that many Ugandans living and working abroad continue to support families, communities and businesses back home, adding that their contribution to national development is significant and deserves to be recognized, supported and organized within a clear policy framework.
Alupo urged stakeholders to remain vigilant and responsive to the vulnerabilities that affect migrants, especially women, children, youth and workers who may be exposed to exploitation, deception and abuse.
‘’A strong migration policy is therefore also a policy for dignity, protection and human security,’’ she said.
The Vice President called upon all responsible institutions to take full ownership of this Policy and to translate its provisions into concrete programmes, budgets, regulations and measurable results.
‘’I urge Ministry of Internal Affairs to continue providing steadfast leadership in coordinating the implementation of the Policy. The Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on Migration must be fully empowered to serve as the engine of whole-of-government coordination. It should provide a structured mechanism for aligning sector actions, monitoring progress, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that migration issues are addressed in a coherent, timely and integrated manner across Government institutions. This Committee will be indispensable in translating policy commitments into practical and measurable results,’’ she stressed.
Meanwhile, State Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi explained that the Policy is a multi sectoral framework uniting the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies through coordinated Migration Governance, towards National Development.
He further noted that Uganda, renowned for hosting nearly two million refugees and its progressive refugee policies, positions the framework as a tool to leverage migration’s positive contributions—such as remittances, skills transfer, and economic opportunities—while mitigating risks like irregular migration, trafficking, and exploitation.
