Uganda and Somalia Sign Labour Protection Agreement
The deal aims to resolve employment disputes and ensure fair working conditions for Ugandan workers in Somalia.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Unions
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Uganda and Somalia have signed a landmark labour agreement in Mogadishu following a three-day bilateral summit. The pact seeks to address ongoing concerns regarding unpaid wages, passport withholding, and the lack of formal employment contracts.
Why it matters
This agreement provides a formal legal framework to protect Ugandan employees from exploitation and resolve employment-related disputes. It also establishes collaborative mechanisms to improve oversight of working conditions within Somalia.
The agreement was finalized after a 3-day bilateral summit held between October 20 and 22, 2026. Officials have mandated annual reviews to ensure both nations adhere to the commitments outlined in the pact.
The players
Hamza Adan Haadow
He is the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Somalia who co-led the diplomatic discussions.
Vincent Bagiire Waiswa
He serves as the Ugandan Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs and represented his nation in the talks.
The details
The accord introduces joint regulation and formal dispute-resolution procedures to manage issues including work-permit conflicts and contract enforcement. These measures are designed to standardize the treatment of workers and provide a consistent legal recourse for labor grievances.
Timeline
October 20-22, 2026: The three-day bilateral summit took place in Mogadishu.
November 30, 2026: The target date for finalizing the Joint Permanent Council on Investment and Trade.
December 2026: The scheduled period for a legal review of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement.
End of 2026: The projected timeframe for signing a new defence cooperation agreement.
2027: The next Joint Permanent Commission session is scheduled to occur in Somalia.
Political Context
The agreement follows a pattern set by the East African Community Common Market Protocol by formalizing standards for cross-border labour and employee protection. Opposition voices may express concern over the implementation capacity of regulatory bodies tasked with enforcing these new rules.
Ugandan workers currently employed in Somalia may benefit from more secure contract enforcement and clearer paths to resolve wage disputes. These protections are expected to reduce risks associated with work-permit inconsistencies and passport retention.
The takeaway
This agreement highlights a growing trend of bilateral cooperation aimed at professionalizing the treatment of migrant workers. Workers should keep detailed records of their contracts and communication with employers to leverage these new dispute-resolution mechanisms.
What happens next
The nations are scheduled to finalize the Joint Permanent Council on Investment and Trade by November 30, 2026, and conduct a legal review of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement in December 2026.
Further reading
For more on international labour developments, visit the Unions section.
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