I didn’t make those remarks!

Aug 25, 2005

SIR — On Wednesday I was quoted by Mr. Opiyo Oloya as having said, “Why does it become slave trade when it comes to sending people to work as civil guards in Iraq and not the same when it comes to Ugandans washing toilets, cleaning streets, digging graves and all other manners of very undignifie

SIR — On Wednesday I was quoted by Mr. Opiyo Oloya as having said, “Why does it become slave trade when it comes to sending people to work as civil guards in Iraq and not the same when it comes to Ugandans washing toilets, cleaning streets, digging graves and all other manners of very undignified jobs in Western capitals?” Those remarks were not made by me.

Contrary to the views expressed in Oloya’s article, I have immense respect for the importance and dignity of labour irrespective of what job is done, who does it and where it is done. It is the summation of this labour that propels Uganda’s and global progress. Consequently, money remitted by Ugandans abroad is the biggest single source of income for the country. Last year, about $800m was contributed to the economic development of Uganda.

Government is currently evolving policy guidelines that will formally put in place a framework for recruiting Ugandans who may wish to get jobs abroad.

This is a significant contribution to the economy of Uganda. I request Mr. Oloya to crosscheck his information.

Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda
Minister of Internal Affairs

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