Uganda to sign agreement with Arab countries

In a bid to control human trafficking and protect Ugandans in diaspora, Uganda is set to sign bilateral agreements with countries that take Ugandans such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman.

According to Patrick Muganda, the head of Dispora department in Foreign Affairs Ministry, the agreement will ensure that companies that employ Ugandans abroad honour the provisions of the employees' contracts as well as protecting their rights.

"The challenge is that some people travel to places without the knowledge about the kinds of jobs waiting for them." said Muganda.

Speaking to New Vision, Muganda said the Government officials on October 19 travelled to Saudi Arabia and met several licensed labour recruitment companies over the agreement.

"The exercise will be rolled to other countries such as Qatar, Oman among others," said Muganda.He also said the foreign affairs ministry together with other government agencies will soon embark on campaigns to alert Ugandans intending to travel abroad for employment about the need and the importance of registering with Uganda's diplomatic missions abroad.

"Negligible numbers of people abroad register with Uganda's embassies and this makes provision of consular services to these people difficult," said Muganda.

The head of directorate of Interpol Uganda Asan Kasingye on Monday warned that if they are to work, they should work in the companies licensed by Ugandan government and the terms of the job contracts should be clearly understood by them (employees).

"They shouldn't go with quack companies," said Kasingye.