KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has revoked the licenses of 275 external recruitment firms in an effort to regulate the industry and protect Ugandan citizens working abroad.
The ministry reported that as of April 7, only 225 companies held active licenses. Of the remaining firms in the system, 418 have registered accounts but lack licenses, four hold expired licenses and 23 are awaiting approval.
Dr. Lawrence Egulu, the commissioner for employment services, said the delicensed firms are prohibited from conducting external recruitment. He noted the companies were penalized for various breaches, including failure to renew licenses and various administrative irregularities.
Sources within the ministry said the crackdown follows reports of rampant exploitation. Some firms allegedly charged illegal recruitment fees between 2 million and 8 million shillings, far exceeding the government-approved registration fee of 50,000 shillings. Other complaints included unpaid wages, forced labor, physical torture and sexual exploitation, particularly in the Middle East.
Balaam Barugahara, the state minister for youth and children affairs, published the list of the 225 authorized companies on X over the weekend to help the public identify legitimate recruiters.
Many young people are losing money to traffickers and fraudulent companies, Barugahara said. He added that the ministry would assist individuals in recovering funds if they were cheated by any of the listed firms.
Industry leaders noted that regulatory requirements have become more stringent. Cathy Ocen, chief executive officer of Maghrib Tours and Travel Limited, said the ministry recently increased the required bank guarantee for recruitment firms from 100 million to 200 million shillings.
Boaz Ahabwe, managing director of Hays Recruitment Expert Limited, welcomed the ministry’s decision to remove unfit companies. He urged officials to provide regular public updates to prevent unlicensed operators from misleading job seekers.
According to a report from the International Labour Organization, approximately 270,000 Ugandan migrant workers traveled to Arab states between 2016 and 2023, with the majority employed in the care economy.
See full list of companies whose licenses have been revoked
2R International Agency
2R International Agency LTD
5 KMG Labour Agency Ltd
Abba Placements Recruitment Agency LTD
Abroad Placement LTD
ABS Consulting Group Ltd
Absolute Connection International LTD
Advon Services Uganda Ltd
Afrika LTD
Afrisky International Ltd
Afrisun International LTD
Ajira African Solutions LTD
AL
Al Enjazi Moutamad Consultants LTD
Al Qurashee LTD
Al Taleb Services LTD
Al Taleb Services LTD
Alastar Company (U) LTD
Albai Manpower Services LTD
Al-Buraq Labour Export Company LTD
Albusatan Almuthamar Smc LTD
ALM Recruitment Uganda LTD
Al-Madinah Agency LTD
Al-Mashyu Company LTD
Al-Mubarak Recruitment Agency LTD
Alsaco International (U) LTD
Al-Saud Agency LTD
Alsultaan Recruitment Company LTD
Ambatt Recruitment Company
Ambatt Recruitment Company
Amir Recruitment Agency LTD
Arkah Adeeg Ventures Uganda Ltd
Asa
Askar Security Services LTD
Atilis Job Mart Uganda LTD
Atlas Impex Ltd
Azar International Services LTD
Azuz and Hanaa International Ltd
Bahan General Services LTD
Bantu Establishments Ltd
Blessed International Recruitment Company Ltd
Blue Nile Security (U) LTD
Bm Forex Workers LTD
Bodwell Human Resource Co. LTD
Bonjour Jobs Recruitment LTD
Bridge International Recruitment Agency LTD
Bright Future Recruitment LTD
Bruij Consultants LTD
Bubbly International Services LTD
Bujara Overseas Agency LTD
Busara Recruiters Co. LTD
Capitaline Services (U) LTD
Cashin Business Consult Uganda LTD
Cayman Consults LTD
Chant Agencies LTD
Charliecom Recruitment Consultancy (U) Ltd
Cornell Recruitment Center Uganda LTD
Cosmopolitan Labour Ltd
Creative Group International LTD
Creative Thinkers Action Ltd
Credit Union Company LTD
Crisis Resolution Recruitment Agency LTD
CSX Group LTD
Dahab Recruitment Experts LTD
Daishaikh Resources LTD
Dashia Recruitment Agencies International Ltd
Dashia Recruitment Agencies International Uganda Ltd
Dayalbhai Madanji & Co. (Inv) LTD
Dayalbhai Madanji & Co. Investments LTD
DEA Recruitment Agency LTD
Desert Treasures Ltd
DNK Recruitment Agency LTD
Double Joy International
Doxa Connections LTD
Eagle Eye Recruiters Ltd
Eagle’s Supervision Ltd
Eagles World Recruitment LTD.
Efraz International Recruitment Agency
El-Castillo Agencies (U) LTD
Electra Hr Consultancy – LTD
Elgano International LTD
Elmvale Recruitment Agency
Elserag International – Smc LTD
Ephraim Agencies Uganda LTD
Epsilon
Eskom Link Ltd
Eskom Link LTD(EI)
Esther
Esther Uganda LTD
Ethos Labour Company LTD
Falcon Manpower LTD
Far Trek Uganda LTD
Flexible Labour International LTD
Flyover International
Forbes Enterprises LTD
Forward International Consultants LTD
Fountain Security Service Uganda LTD
Fresam Quality Job Recruiters LTD
Germany Africa External Recruitment LTD
Germany Africa Recruitment Services LTD
Germany Africaexternal Recruitment LTD
Gesanyu International LTD
Gina Services International LTD
Glead Placement Agency LTD
Global Bridge Consult LTD
Global Labour and Business Consult LTD
Gongo Hills Recruitment Services LTD
Gopro Uganda LTD
Great Ascend Agencies LTD
Great Lakes HRM
Gulf Link International LTD
Gulf Recruitment Services LTD
Gulf Skills Development Center LTD
Habali Africa Asia Service Agency LTD
Hasty Sourcing LTD
Hays General Agencies Ltd
Headway International Consultants LTD
High Class Labour Agencies (U) LTD
Ideale Human Resource Consultancy LTD
Igola Holdings International LTD
Ihsan International Services LTD
Impact Recruitment Uganda Agency LTD
Impact Recruitment Uganda Agency LTD
Infinity Recruitment Agency LTD
Inkredible Afrika Ltd
Insaniya Recruitment Agency LTD
Intercontinental Opportunities LTD
Interstellar Recruitment Office LTD
Inve Track Construction and Engineering LTD
Issachar Christian Fellowship Church
Jackov Recruitment Company – Smc LTD
Jamwe
Jayama Investments LTD
Jazeera Investment LTD
Jeddah Recruitment LTD
Jericho International Uganda LTD
Jeveux ‘D Emploi Enterprise Ltd
Jobline Consultancy Uganda Ltd
Jobs Abroad Uganda Limited
Joppa Link LTD
Joyz International Recruitment Services LTD
Kampala Ltd
Kana Experts LTD
Karary Services Company LTD
Karibun International Ltd
Kazi Travel World – SMC LTD
Khaalid Employment Services LTD
Kilotan Labor Company LTD
Kjm Recruitment Agency LTD
Labour Link (U) LTD
Labour World Connect LTD
Lamar Step Up Company LTD
Legacy Trust Ltd
Liberty Manpower Consultants LTD
Lite Speed Job Hub LTD
LSF Recruiters LTD
Mab Facilities Management (U) LTD
Maguto Recruitment Agency LTD
Mahat Authorities LTD
Man Power Consultants
Mandela Logistics Ltd
Manpower Holding (U) LTD
Mash Global Linkages LTD
Maso Recruitment Agency LTD
Massadr Facilities LTD
Mawanda Kikuuwe and Co. Ltd
Middle East Consultants Ltd
Migadde International LTD
Miha Beta Co. LTD
Millenium Link Ltd
Mirich Multi Services LTD
Mix Link Agency LTD
MKE Recruitment Agency LTD
MKR Consult LTD
Modern Star International LTD
Modest Recruitment Consultants LTD
Motion Works LTD
Mulcorp Resources LTD
Musaffah International LTD
Mutakuwa Investments LTD
Nadia Excel Recruitment LTD
Namwase
Namwase Uganda LTD
Naptali
Night Derrick & Senyimba International Consultants Ltd
Nile Treasure Gate
Nile Treasure Gate Company Ltd
Okrames Connections Agency LTD
Okrames Connections LTD
Optimal Manpower Placement LTD
Optimal Manpower Placement LTD
Optimal Manpower Placement LTD
Orone Recruitment Services LTD
Osite Logistics LTD
Overseas Consult Agency LTD
Pacymot Consult LTD
Perla Recruitment Agency LTD
Platinum Projects LTD
Polar Management (U) LTD
Preffered Consultants Ltd
Premier Recruitment Limint
Premier Recruitment Limited
Priver Mitindo Logistics Co LTD
Prospects International LTD
Prospects International LTD
Protectorate S.P.C. (U) LTD
Protectorate Spc Uganda LTD
Q-Sourcing LTD
Rab Recruitment Company LTD
Ready Market Services Ltd
Reliable Logicans (U) LTD
Results Group LTD
Ridar Uganda LTD
Rise Up Consultancy Inter LTD
Rise Up Consultancy Intl LTD
Riseup Consultancy International LTD
Ritah Uganda LTD
Rollsail Investments LTD
Round Off International LTD
Royal Chariot Agencies Uganda LTD
Sagetra LTD
Sahara Recruitment Agency LTD
Saliwa Recruitment Agency Uganda LTD
Sanyu Recruitment Company LTD
Screen Logic Consults LTD
Semarabia Recruitment and HR Solutions LTD
Shaiyum International LTD
Shanawa Labour Export (U) LTD
Shinton International Agency LTD
Sibanga Consults Ltd
Sipi Contours Company Uganda LTD
Skyfly Gateways LTD
Span Medicare Uganda LTD
Spark Labour Agency LTD
Spin Labour Consultants LTD
Splendor Business Solutions Ltd
Spotlight International Recruitment Agency
Staffing International Uganda LTD
Staffing International Uganda LTD
Star Favour Uganda LTD
Star Light Holdings Uganda LTD
Strepa International Services
Strepa International Services LTD
Striker General Agencies LTD
Suubi Recruitment Co. LTD.
Swatt Services LTD
Tahn Muna International LTD
Taiba Manpower Agency LTD
Tanvi Investment LTD
Tap Labour Agency LTD
Target Recruitment Agency U LTD
Tarm Capital LTD
The Eagle’s Supervision LTD
The Gideon’s Men LTD
THK Recruitment Company LTD
Time Master (U) LTD
Timecop International Placements LTD
Tirinyi Recruiters LTD
Tishacha Enterprises Uganda LTD
Titilayo Investments Uganda LTD
Tripai Overseas Agency (U) LTD
Tripai Overseas Agency UG LTD
Tripai Overseas Agency Uganda LTD
Twekembed Migrant Worker Ltd Uganda LTD
Ulinzi General Services LTD
Ultimate Link LTD
Urban Recruitment Agency
Value Synagies
Wakanda World LTD
Wamaq Group Uganda LTD
Wandgert Recruitment LTD
Work Ways Uganda LTD
Zion Worldwide Placements LTD
Zirikyashi Holdings (U) LTD
