A historic step has been taken that is expected to move regional integration and cross-border cooperation in East Africa into a new chapter. The Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have reached an agreement on a comprehensive roadmap to ratify and domesticate the “Protocol on Free Movement of Persons” within the IGAD region.
The high-level officials’ meeting concluded this week in Kampala, and it was noted that the agreement will bring about a significant shift in the management of migration, labor, and trade within the region. This roadmap establishes a clear legal and administrative path for Uganda to fully integrate the protocol into its national laws, reinforcing Uganda’s “exemplary role” in regional mobility.
Supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union (EU), the Kampala meeting involved various stakeholders, including legal experts, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federation of Uganda Employers, and members of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU).
In addition to the Free Movement Protocol, the expert committee recommended that the Ugandan government urgently ratify two related legal frameworks: the 2012 IGAD Convention on Extradition and the 2012 IGAD Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance. These agreements are designed to ensure that while borders become open to law-abiding citizens, the region remains protected from transnational crimes.
During the meeting, Ms. Lucy Daxbacher, IGAD’s Senior Migration Expert, provided clarifications to correct misconceptions regarding “free movement.” She stated, “Free movement of persons does not mean the absence of migration management; rather, it means managing migration flows and border administration in a more effective and efficient manner.”
She added that this requires strong legal frameworks, active institutions, and adequate financial support. For this to succeed, identifying citizens through national censuses and modern national ID management is crucial.
The protocol has been included as a core component of Uganda’s 2025 National Migration Policy, which was launched yesterday in Kampala.
By bringing these regional requirements into domestic law, Uganda creates a significant opportunity for its workforce to become legal beneficiaries in the regional market and to attract investment from neighboring countries.
Viewed more broadly, this step aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Abuja Treaty, whichaim to create a borderless Africa where the rights of residence and establishment are guaranteed.
The ratification of the protocol is expected to pave the way for Ugandans and citizens of other IGAD member states to seek work in neighboring countries by overcoming current bureaucratic hurdles.
