The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has issued a public notice warning tour and travel companies across the country to immediately stop engaging in labour recruitment and export agency activities, stating that such practices are outside the legal scope of tourism operations.

The Board revealed that it has been made aware of certain tour and travel companies engaging in recruitment services contrary to the provisions of the Employment (Recruitment of Ugandan Migrant Workers) Regulations No. 47 of 2021.

According to the notice, the UTB emphasized strict compliance with the law, stating: "This is to formally notify all tour operators and travel agencies to cease and desist from undertaking recruitment agency services with immediate effect. The public is further informed that only companies licensed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development are authorized to offer recruitment services."

The Board further clarified that tourism businesses must operate strictly within their licensing framework issued by UTB under the Uganda Tourism Act. Any deviation into unauthorized recruitment activities will attract penalties.

In its warning, UTB stated: "All tour and travel companies are therefore required to operate strictly within the scope of their tourism operating licenses issued by UTB, in accordance with the Uganda Tourism Act. Any tourism enterprise or shareholder found engaging in unauthorized recruitment activities will be subject to appropriate sanctions."

The public has also been advised to exercise caution and ensure they only engage with verified tourism enterprises that are duly licensed by UTB. The Board directed that such companies should only be used for legitimate tourism-related services and not employment or labour export activities.

UTB also encouraged members of the public to verify tourism service providers through its official website, where a list of licensed companies is available at www.utb.go.ug.

The notice reinforces government efforts to regulate labour recruitment services in Uganda while ensuring that tourism companies remain focused on their core mandate of promoting travel and tourism in the country.