В Уганде прошел трехдневный тренинг для журналистов IGAD по вопросам свободной миграции и борьбы с преступностью

August 26, 2026 (Entebbe, Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and with financial support from the European Union (EU), convened a three-day regional training that strengthened the capacity of media and communication professionals from across the IGAD region to report on free movement of persons, labour migration and regional integration. Held from 24 to 26 August 2026 in Entebbe, Uganda, the training brought together 27 media and communication professionals, including nine women and 18 men, from seven IGAD Member States — Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. Participants represented print, radio, television, online and digital media, as well as journalists’ associations and Government communication institutions, reflecting the growing diversity and reach of media platforms shaping public discourse across the region. Strengthening the Media’s Role in Regional Integration The opening ceremony brought together representatives of governments, IGAD, the ILO, the European Union, the Union of Journalists of East Africa and media professionals from IGAD Member States. Speaking on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Moussa Ali Meigague, Director of the IGAD Health and Social Development Division, Ms. Daxbacher called on media professionals to play a central role in promoting informed, balanced and fact-based understanding of regional mobility. She reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to advancing a peaceful, prosperous and integrated region, stressing that free movement of persons is not only a policy objective but also an important driver of regional integration. Well-governed and regular human mobility, she noted, can contribute to labour mobility, cross-border trade, investment, skills transfer and social cohesion. “When mobility is well governed, borders become points of connection rather than barriers to opportunity,” she said. Building Understanding of the IGAD Free Movement Protocol Throughout the three-day training, participants deepened their understanding of the IGAD Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, including its objectives, key provisions and the processes of ratification, domestication and implementation. Discussions examined the links between free movement, employment, decent work, labour migration, cross-border trade, development and regional cooperation, while highlighting the critical role of the media in shaping public understanding of these issues. Particular emphasis was placed on countering misinformation, stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding migration and ensuring that the public has access to reliable, balanced and evidence-based information. Participants also explored practical approaches to reporting on the experiences of people on the move, including the opportunities and challenges associated with regional mobility. ILO Calls for Human-Centred Reporting Mr. Ephrem Getnet, ILO Chief Technical Adviser urged media professionals to strengthen their contribution to public discourse on mobility, labour migration and regional integration. He emphasised the importance of putting people and their lived experiences at the centre of reporting on migration and mobility. “Behind every policy, protocol and statistic are people whose lives are shaped by their ability to move, work, study, trade and build connections across borders,” he said. Regional Cooperation and Public Awareness Mr. Solomon Kasasira, representing the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in harnessing the opportunities and addressing the challenges associated with the movement of people across the IGAD region. He noted that free movement can contribute to cross-border trade, labour mobility, economic opportunities and stronger people-to-people connections. He also underscored the importance of ensuring that citizens have access to clear, accurate and reliable information on regional policies and initiatives related to mobility and integration. For media professionals, this means going beyond reporting the movement of people across borders to explaining why people move, the opportunities and challenges they encounter, and their rights and responsibilities. Mr. Kasasira further called on journalists and communication practitioners to counter misinformation and stereotypes and contribute to constructive public dialogue on migration and regional integration. Distinguishing Free Movement from Transnational Crime The training also featured a specialised session on organised transnational crime, designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of the distinctions between legal free movement, irregular migration, migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. The session facilitated by SCP Fred Enanga, Deputy Director in charge of INTERPOL and International Relations at the Uganda Police Force, underscored that facilitating regular, safe and orderly mobility can go hand in hand with efforts to prevent and combat transnational crime. Participants examined emerging risks, including fraudulent recruitment, document and identity fraud and the criminal use of digital platforms. They also discussed victim protection, cross-border information sharing and international police cooperation. The session highlighted the importance of collaboration between media and law enforcement institutions in promoting safe and orderly mobility, addressing cross-border security concerns, combating trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, and ensuring responsible reporting. Learning from Uganda’s Migration Policy Ms. Juliet Akello, Senior Immigration Officer at Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, presented Uganda’s National Migration Policy towards 2025 as a case study, providing participants with an opportunity to explore how national migration policies can support broader objectives related to migration governance and regional integration. Through case studies, practical exercises, group work and presentations, participants developed story ideas on free movement, labour migration, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling and regional integration. A Call for Responsible and Informed Reporting Closing the training, Mr. Ibrahim Miyir Ali, Director of Communication and Media at the Djibouti Ministry of Communication and Posts, representing the IGAD Chairmanship, called on media and communication professionals to play a greater role in informing the public about free movement of persons, labour migration and regional integration. He noted that mobility is a major reality across the IGAD region, with people crossing borders to work, trade, study, reunite with family members and pursue economic opportunities. Others are displaced or compelled to move by conflict, insecurity, disasters and other challenging circumstances. “As media professionals, our role is to explain why people move, how this mobility is governed, what their rights and responsibilities are, and what regional policies mean in practical terms for citizens,” he said. He urged media professionals to move beyond simply reporting border crossings and instead provide audiences with a deeper understanding of the motivations, opportunities, challenges, rights and responsibilities associated with human mobility. Strengthening the IGAD Regional Journalists’ Platform Trainees will join the IGAD Regional Journalists’ Platform on Migration and Labour Migration Governance. The Platform provides an avenue for media professionals to sustain peer learning, exchange information, foster cross-border collaboration and support coordinated public awareness on free movement of persons, labour migration, migration governance and regional integration. At the conclusion of the training, certificates were awarded to participants who successfully completed the programme. The initiative reflects the shared commitment of IGAD, the ILO and the European Union to promoting quality, responsible and fact-based reporting as an essential contribution to regional integration and regular, safe and inclusive human mobility. By equipping media professionals with greater knowledge, practical skills and regional networks, the training strengthened their capacity to produce more accurate, ethical and evidence-based reporting, contributing to improved public understanding of the opportunities, challenges, rights and responsibilities associated with free movement of persons across the IGAD region.