200 go to Iraq

Feb 18, 2007

OVER 200 Ugandans have left for Iraq to work as security guards.<br>The Ugandans were screened and exported by Dubai-based Dreshak, a labour-exporting firm.

By Peter Kaujju

OVER 200 Ugandans have left for Iraq to work as security guards.
The Ugandans were screened and exported by Dubai-based Dreshak, a labour-exporting firm.

“They went in two groups. Over 200 new recruits went alongside 40 others who completed one year of service in Iraq and were home for a month’s paid vacation. It is a great opportunity to earn money,” Alok Dheer Dreshak’s Uganda manager explained.

Dheer said they would screen and export over 100 guards to Iraq in the next two months.

He said they do not charge any money from the recruits.

Dheer said they recruit for an American Group called SOC SMG, a veteran-owned full service security company.

A labour ministry January report says each Ugandan in Iraq remits $1,100 (sh1.9m) monthly.

“There are over 2,000 Ugandans in Iraq. Apart from the social benefits of raising families out of poverty, Uganda is earning foreign exchange from the remittance of workers as well as the commissions paid to the recruiting companies,” read the report.

The report said the companies are negotiating to send another 3,000 guards to Iraq within six months, which will earn the country more $3.3m (sh5.8b) per month from remittances.

It adds that Ugandans are deployed in the Green Zone, which is safe because it is outside the combat area.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});