30 Ugandans stuck in Dubai 

SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT

DUBAI- An association of Ugandans living in United Arab Emirates has cried out to the Uganda government to run to the rescue of 33 Ugandan job-seekers stuck in Dubai.

The group got stranded after being dumped there by a labour export firm linked to a former journalist, Dean Sava. 

Jamil Kalyowa, the publicist of Ugandans living in UAE, said the group, 12 of whom are female, landed in United Arab Emirates on December 31, 2017 on one-month tourism visas. 

"After taking them there, he (Sava) quickly dashed back to Kampala after taking between sh9m and sh5m promising them work as security guards and maids," he said. 

"We have tried contacting their (victims) families to get them air tickets, but with very little success. We call upon the Government to help. We are worried about what may happen to them because their visas are expiring in three days' time." 

He said repatriating the victims has proved difficult following the recalling of the Uganda ambassador to UAE, Nimisha Madhvani.

Vicent Sekate, the Criminal Investigations Directorate spokesperson, said they were unaware of the incident. 

"Please give me time to consult," he said.   

Efforts to reach Sava were futile as his known telephone number was off. 

New Vision has, however, learnt that Sava was arrested in March on similar crimes, but was later granted Police bond. 

The journalist's luck ran out after frustrated clients ended up in the wrong hands as soon as they set foot on various foreign soils. 


Dire working conditions  

A report released by Uganda's parliamentary committee on labour and gender issues last year, revealed that about 50 Ugandans, most of them women, had died in United Arab Emirates in 2017. 

Dr. Sam Omara, of the Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, was quoted by Khaleej Times, saying many of the suicide cases resulted from frustrations that lead to depression. 

"I believe most of the people decide to end their lives because of frustrations," he said. 

"Some of these people are told by recruitment companies that they are coming here to get good jobs and with big salaries, and when they get here, they get frustrated when they find things are different.




"Some people find the working conditions, weather and culture different.  Some domestic workers, especially housemaids, are being mistreated by employers and this can lead them into making bad decisions, especially when they do not have anyone to speak to about their problems."

At least 40,000 Ugandans currently live and work in the UAE, mostly in security companies, and in the thriving Middle East hospitality industry.