As part of the ongoing government efforts to repatriate hundreds of distressed migrant workers, State Minister for Labour, Esther Anyakun, and Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Hajji. Abbey Walusimbi, have successfully engaged with Saudi authorities.
The duo’s efforts has already birthed results as a group of Ugandan migrant workers rotting in Saudi Arabia’s jail have in the recent days been pardoned, released from detention and deportation centers and returned home.
Walusimbi says dozens including ballooned women are part of those who have so far been returned home in similar fashion since November 1 when he, and Anyakun jetted into Riyadh to document distressed cases.
“Over 200 migrant workers have been repatriated in a sequenced manner. A plane carrying repatriated workers lands at Entebbe, on a daily basis since November 1” he told this News site.
He adds that, they are still engaging authorities in the respective Gulf states to repatriate distressed workers due to poor living and working conditions.
“We shall carry on the exercise to UAE, Jordan, Iran, and beyond.” He said.
Speaking to this online publication, Walusimbi stressed that the plight of Ugandan migrant workers in the Gulf calls for harnessed collaboration and coordination between stakeholders.
“The documented cases of distressed Ugandans, especially domestic workers, warrants the expedition of the repatriation and reintegration process,” Walusimbi noted as he cautioned errant individuals against trafficking unsuspecting Ugandans.
Hosting over 200,000 Ugandan migrant workers, Saudi Arabia is considered the largest destination for Ugandan labor migration.
In this sense, the Walusimbi reaffirmed that over 742 distressed migrant workers will be returned from Saudi Arabia by January 2025.
Walusimbi said President Museveni continues to enhance the protection of migrant workers.
“So, President’s Office and Gender Ministry are working to enhance Uganda’s labour migration governance in Uganda and overseas. We are negotiating with the host governments and shall not leave any of our brothers and sisters in distress” he said.
He added that there are efforts to scout for better skilled job opportunities for Ugandan workers. Walusimbi said that his office working with that of Anyakun are also exploring new and better job opportunities, for those facing contract issues and undesirable working conditions.
“I reassure our Diaspora communities that President Museveni’s government is actively enhancing stringent oversight measures to ensure safe, secure, and orderly labour externalization” he said.
About 1000 Ugandans are currently held in the Middle East, accused of various crimes including theft, contract substitution and trafficking.
Of these detainees, 720 are in Saudi Arabia, 180 in Dubai, and 62 in Qatar. These are expected to be repatriated once the negotiations are fully done.
