President Museveni discouraged young Ugandans from pursuing employment abroad after receiving his 2026 election nomination. He questioned why citizens travel to Dubai when Uganda offers greater job potential than Middle Eastern nations. The president warned that laborers abandon domestic wealth opportunities to become exploited workers overseas. Uganda faces severe youth unemployment while its diaspora in the UAE expanded from 40,000 to 160,000 people between 2018 and 2025. These workers generated remittances that increased from $50 million to $350 million during the same period.
The UAE represents Uganda's largest export destination with bilateral trade worth $2.85 billion and Emirati investments exceeding $3 billion. However, many Ugandan migrants experience abuse and exploitation in Middle Eastern countries. Some workers have their travel documents seized and face dangerous working conditions. Museveni promoted commercial agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and services as alternative employment sectors. Analysts maintain that youth will continue migrating abroad without substantial domestic job creation and unemployment reforms.
The UAE represents Uganda's largest export destination with bilateral trade worth $2.85 billion and Emirati investments exceeding $3 billion. However, many Ugandan migrants experience abuse and exploitation in Middle Eastern countries. Some workers have their travel documents seized and face dangerous working conditions. Museveni promoted commercial agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and services as alternative employment sectors. Analysts maintain that youth will continue migrating abroad without substantial domestic job creation and unemployment reforms.
