Repatriation of migrant workers needs collaboration, co-ordination  — Ambassador

KAMPALA - Repatriation of distressed Ugandan migrant workers in the Gulf states needs harnessed collaboration and co-ordination between stakeholders, senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi.

"The documented cases of distressed Ugandans, especially domestic workers, warrant the expedition of the repatriation and reintegration process," he says.

Walusimbi's call comes in the wake of a diaspora mapping exercise to document and expedite the repatriation process for distressed migrant workers.

The exercise is part of the ongoing government efforts to repatriate hundreds of distressed migrant workers being spearheaded by industrial relations state minister Esther Anyakun and Walusimbi.

The duo has successfully engaged with Saudi Arabian authorities, which has seen those recently pardoned released from detention and deportation centres and returned home. 

Walusimbi says dozens including pregnant women, have been returned home in a similar fashion since November 1, 2024, when Anyakun and himself arrived in Riyadh to document distressed cases. 

"Over 200 migrant workers have been repatriated in a sequenced manner. A plane carrying repatriated workers lands at Entebbe daily since November 1."

He adds that they are still engaging authorities in the respective Gulf states to repatriate workers distressed, due to poor living and working conditions. "We shall carry on the exercise to UAE, Jordan, Iran and beyond."

Walusimbi has also cautioned errant individuals against trafficking unsuspecting Ugandans.

Hosting over 200,000 Ugandan migrant workers, Saudi Arabia is considered the largest destination for Ugandan labour migration.

In this sense, the ambassador said over 742 distressed migrant workers will have been returned from Saudi Arabia by January 2025. 

Moving to protect migrants

"President Yoweri Museveni continues to enhance the protection of migrant workers. So, [the] President's Office and [the 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 added that there are efforts to scout for better-skilled job opportunities for Ugandan workers: "Together with Anyakun, we 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 externalisation.

1,000 in detention

About 1,000 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.