The government of the Republic of Uganda under the ministry of foreign and internal affairs is in process of drafting a comprehensive immigration policy that will address some of the immigration challenges in the country.

Addressing stakeholders during a workshop the state minister for internal affairs state James Baba said plans are under way to finding some possible help from the International Organizational for Migration (IOM) on how to formulate a comprehensive National Migration Policy for Uganda. Uganda has been without proper immigration policy but rather a migration Act.

Ministers Hillary Onek, James-Baba and Police Commissioner Ashan Kasingye

The minister says a comprehensive National migration policy has been developed to include all aspects of migration like deterring terrorists from entering the country.

Speaking at a workshop to discuss the draft policy in Kampala on Friday, Baba said the policy would lock out unwanted elements like terrorists and unwelcome behaviors.

James Baba says many illegal immigrants have taken advantage to exploit the current migration Act gaps in regulating immigrants into the country.

The minister however said that the government of Uganda will not close its borders from being accessed by foreigners in the process of its implementation of the policy.

The Immigration department public reactions officer Eunice Kisembo said when done with the draft migration policy, it will be tabled to parliament for debate and approval by the end of September 2011.

By Mugisa Isaac Mathias