Date of publication:

01/09/2026

Uganda

Do domestic laws and policies allow forcibly displaced and stateless persons to engage in wage-earning employment and protect them against arbitrary deprivation of, or dismissal from, employment?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

The Constitution of Uganda provided the foundation of the right to work of refugees. According to article 40 (2) of the Constitution, every person in the country has the right to practice his or her profession and to carry on any lawful occupation, trade, or business. In other words, the right to engage in wage earning employment is not limited to Uganda nationals rather to every person living in Uganda including refugees. 

The Refugees Act (2006) under section 29 (1) (e) (vi), states that recognized refugees shall receive at least the same treatment accorded to aliens generally in similar circumstances with respect to accessing employment opportunities and engaging in gainful employment. 

The Refugees Regulations (2010), under section 64, further clarifies the Refugees Act and states that recognized refugees with a valid identity card shall be entitled to the most favorable treatment accorded to foreign residents in similar circumstances with respect to engaging in wage earning or gainful employment except that they would not be required to pay any charges or fees prior to taking up of any offer or to continue in his or her employment. 

The Refugees Act and Regulations are silent on an asylum-seeker's right to work.  However, in practice, asylum-seekers informally engage in income-generating activities including in wage earning employment. 

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    The Constitution of The Republic of Uganda

    Legal provision

    Article 40(2) - Economic Rights

    Every person in Uganda has the right to practice his or her profession and to carry on any lawful occupation, trade or business.

    Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act

    Legal provision

    Section 53 (4) -- Entry into Uganda

    A person intending to take on employment under entry permit class G specified in the Fourth Schedule to this Act may only enter Uganda after his or her application for the entry permit has been granted.

    The Refugees Act (2006)

    Legal provision

    Section 29 (1) (e) (iv) -- Rights of Refugees Access to Employment

    A recognised refugees, shall subject to this Act, the OAU Convention (Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa), and the Geneva Convention (Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) and the Protocol (1967)) -- (e) (vi) receive at least the same treatment accorded to aliens generally in similar circumstances relating to -- the right to have access to employment opportunities and engage in gainful employment.

    The Refugees Regulations (Uganda)

    Legal provision

    Regulation 64 -- Access to Employment

    A person who has been granted refugee status and is in possession of a valid identity card issued by the Commissioner for Refugees, shall, in order to facilitate his or her local integration, be allowed to engage in gainful or wage-earning employment on the most favourable treatment accorded to foreign residents in similar circumstances; except that recognised refugees shall exceptionally be exempt from any requirement to pay any charges or fees prior to the taking up of any offer of or to continue in his or her employment.

    Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (fees) Regulation (2021)

    Legal provision

    Regulation 3 (b) -- Waiver of Fees

    The fees specified in Part II of the Schedule to these Regulations, relating to work permits shall not apply -- (b) to a refugee who is gainfully employed.