The Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme is a regional programme in the Horn of Africa with the aim to enable national authorities and institutions to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration by applying a human rights-based approach.
Uganda has one of the world’s fastest growing and youngest populations, with about 80% under the age of 35. Limited livelihood opportunities drive a significant number of
youth into labour migration. The Government of Uganda estimates that nearly 85,000 Ugandans left the country in 2022 in search of employment in the Middle East. Whereas measures and frameworks are in place to ensure safe labour migration, a study conducted by the international consultancy ICF and Markerere University shows
that 89% of Ugandan labour migrants experience conditions descriptive of forced labour as they continue to be recruited through dubious means and irregular channels, potentially exposing them to exploitation and violence in the host country.
On the other side, Uganda is a country of destination for migrants, and Africa's main host country, with about 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers (UN, 2023). The country is known for its open-door policy towards refugees and migrants, driven by political stability, economic opportunities, and its central location in the region.
Managing migration effectively is crucial to maximizing its benefits and mitigating potential challenges. In its delivery, BMM focuses on three key areas: migration governance that promotes safe and regular migration, cooperation on anti-trafficking and migrant smuggling, and providing support to the protection of victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants. Partner Countries include: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.
As an implementing partner of BMM, the British Council in Uganda, is contributing to the governance and policy aspects of migration through grassroots community platforms in collaboration with CSO partners; Willow International (EverFree), Hope for Justice (HFJ) and Rahab Uganda (RU). The districts of focus are Bushenyi, Kapchorwa and Mpigi which are composed of returnees, prospective migrants, community members, and local government officials.
The British Council’s project is working to;
- Support migrant visibility in influencing the design and delivery of migrant policy and services,
- Improving access to information for migrants and connections to alternative livelihoods options,
- And improving migrant and host community agencies in identifying and implementing local solutions.
The Better Migration Management programme is funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The implementing partner organisations include British Council, CIVIPOL, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, International Organization for Migration (IOM), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).