16 young mothers seek answers after expatriate fathers disappear
Several of the contractors had been deployed to Uganda through arrangements allowing convicts to serve part of their sentences through labour abroad.
Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson, Simon Mundeyi, speaking at a press briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Simon Masaba
Journalist @New Vision
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At least 16 young Ugandan women, now single mothers aged between 19 and 23, are stranded at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kampala, desperately seeking assistance to identify foreign men—mainly expatriates involved in road construction—who fathered their children and then vanished without a trace.
Speaking at a press briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Ministry spokesperson Simon Mundeyi revealed that most of the men in question were foreign contractors, some of whom were convicts serving sentences in their home countries and were deployed to Uganda under labour export schemes.
Upon completion of their sentences or contracts, many returned to their countries, leaving behind no information or support for the women or their children.
“We have a group of young women who came to the Ministry for help. They were in relationships with expatriates working on major construction sites, especially road projects. Sadly, these men disappeared—some upon the expiry of their contracts, and others after finishing prison terms,” Mundeyi said.
He noted that several of the contractors had been deployed to Uganda through arrangements allowing convicts to serve part of their sentences through labour abroad. Once their terms expired, they were flown back to their home countries, often without notifying their local partners or leaving any means of contact.
“It’s shocking—some of these men were not even properly documented. The girls don’t know their names, nationalities, or the companies they worked for. Others were operating under fake identities, which makes it nearly impossible to trace them,” Mundeyi added.
He further urged Ugandan women to exercise caution when engaging in relationships with foreign workers whose identities and backgrounds are unclear or unverifiable.
“We understand these girls are victims, but this also calls for vigilance. People should be wary of forming intimate relationships with individuals whose stay is temporary and whose details are unclear,” Mundeyi emphasised.