Written by: Florence Engleback, NFE Global Programmes
“We left Uganda chasing promises, carrying dreams of better lives, only to face a harsh reality in the Middle East. What we thought would be a breakthrough turned into a breakdown.”
In search of a better livelihood, Huzairu left his home country of Uganda to work in Qatar. But when he arrived, he was paid less than half the amount promised in his contract. Having already paid the equivalent of almost £1,700 for his journey, he was told to work for three years or repay the debt upfront. Huzairu pushed back, and after a year and eight months he was offered a “better” deal in the United Arab Emirates. But there it was even worse: poor working conditions, no rest days, no dignity, no freedom – just work.
Huzairu’s story is not unique: socioeconomic challenges and political instability drive many into unsafe migration pathways, and limited legal routes leave them exposed to dangerous situations and exploitation. Funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Better Migration Management III (BMM3) programme focused on three areas in the Horn of Africa: migration governance to promote safe and regular migration, cooperation on anti-trafficking and migrant smuggling, and support for vulnerable migrants and victims of trafficking and smuggling.
The British Council supported this goal by working with civil society, migrants and host communities in Ethiopia and Uganda to shape more inclusive migration policies. Through community-led platforms, the project promoted safe migration, access to information, and alternative livelihood opportunities. Members were able to drive local policy conversations and influence migration governance from the bottom up, ensuring the voices of those most affected were heard and acted upon.
After a year and two months, Huzairu was able to return home. Back in Uganda, he reconnected with Christine, who had undergone a similar ordeal: promised a job as a cleaner in Saudi Arabia, she was forced into domestic work when she arrived. Mistreated and voiceless, it took many months and a great deal of help to find her way back home. Through BMM3, Huzairu and Christine considered trying again. “We shared our stories, and for the first time, we were heard. We didn’t want to suffer alone — we wanted to bring change. We talked to our leaders, and we asked ourselves: How do we move forward?”
Huzairu and Christine decided to help others too, raising awareness of the dangers of human trafficking. They began training young people to build skills and aspirations and created a space where they could learn and grow. With training and support from the programme, their shared idea grew into a salon with a team of eight people. Working for themselves, they now have the freedom to learn and grow, to guide others and access support – even from district officials.
Huzairu’s and Christine’s stories reflect BMM3’s core mission: empowering youth to become changemakers. Across Ethiopia and Uganda, BMM3 has supported over 18 youth-led projects and policy recommendations—shaping not just livelihoods, but local migration governance. By investing in people, BMM3 has built a legacy of hope, leadership, and community resilience.
In Uganda, platforms in Mpigi, Bushenyi, and Kapchorwa trained 527 leaders and empowered 60 platform members and 90 youth changemakers. They launched 14 youth-led projects—from bakeries to salons— and 22 policy recommendations were co-created. In Ethiopia, BMM3 reached over 73,000 people through platforms in Sodo, Metema, Debark, and Mierab Abaya. The social action projects established in the country focused on information sharing and awareness raising with the explicit aim to demonstrate the ability of young people’s positive action to government officials. Through this work, youth groups have set up information centres and developed 36 policy recommendations. As one participant in Debark remarks, “When young people are trusted with leadership, sustainable solutions emerge.”
“Looking back, returning home was the best decision we made. Abroad, we were stuck. Trapped. Here, we breathe. We dream again. Being close to family, having support, being free — that’s priceless.”