The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has ordered tour and travel companies across the country to immediately cease involvement in labour recruitment and export services, describing the practice as illegal and outside their mandated operations.

The warning follows increasing reports that some licensed tourism operators have diversified into recruitment and labour export activities, a sector regulated under a different legal framework.

"The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has been made aware of certain tour and travel companies engaging in labour recruitment and export agency activities, contrary to the provisions of the Employment (Recruitment of Ugandan Migrant Workers) Regulations No. 47 of 2021," the notice stated.

UTB emphasized that the affected companies must immediately stop such operations, reiterating that recruitment services are strictly reserved for firms licensed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

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"This is to formally notify all tour operators and travel agencies to cease and desist from undertaking recruitment agency services with immediate effect," the Board said.

According to the regulator, tourism businesses must operate strictly within the scope of licences issued under the Uganda Tourism Act, which does not include labour recruitment.

"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," UTB stated.

The Board further warned that any company or shareholder found violating the directive will face disciplinary action.

"Any tourism enterprise or shareholder found engaging in unauthorized recruitment activities will be subject to appropriate sanctions," it added.

UTB also cautioned members of the public to verify the legitimacy of service providers before engaging them, noting that only licensed tourism enterprises are authorized to operate in the sector.

"The public is advised to deal only with tourism enterprises duly licensed by UTB, as listed on our official website... and to engage such companies strictly for tourism-related services," the notice read.

The directive comes amid growing concern over unregulated labour export activities, with authorities seeking to curb exploitation of Ugandan migrant workers and enforce compliance with existing labour laws.