By Sarah Kibisi.
patlis2000@yahoo.com
Uganda government has come out to help migrant workers reported to be stranded in the Middle East. Gender Labour and social Development Minister Hon Betty Amongi said government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pardoned many Ugandans stranded in the detention centers in Dubai and efforts were underway to repatriate them home.. But Opposition Foreign Affairs shadow Minister Hon Muwada Nkunyinji who was in UAE from August 15 to 21, 2022, refuted the Ministers’ claims as misleading, adding that there is no such understanding with UAE government. The Ministry for Gender Labour and Social Development said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) together with the government of Uganda had finalised plans to repatriate over 400 Ugandans who have overstayed their tourist and visit visas in Dubai and other cities. Hon. Betty Amongi said there have been several reports about Ugandans stranded in UAE, and the Ministry had taken up the matter. She said the majority of the genuine cases have been victims of human trafficking or individuals who travelled on their own and have overstayed their tourist or visit visas. “The August 2022 report from Uganda’s mission in Abu Dhabi shows many Ugandans illegally staying in the UAE have been living and begging on the streets,” she said. Hon Muwada unveiled photos and video recordings as evidence of the interactions he had had with stranded Ugandans in UAE. ” The Minister has never been to AL Awir detention center or to any UAE detention center. She has no accurate and credible information on what she is talking about on stranded Ugandans in UAE,” he said. Hon Muwada, Kyadondo East legislator said Ugandan Ambassador in UAE and AL Awir prison authorities are not aware that Uganda government plans to repatriate freely nationals. He said Ugandans detained in Al Awil prison are over 3000 with about only 100 migrants holding valid passports which leaves the rest in a precarious position. ” The majority of Ugandans must obtain Ushs 250,000 to pay for new passporst before leaving UAE which many cannot afford.” he said. Hon Muwada appeals to Uganda government to help in repatriating Ugandans detained in AL Awir prison. ” Government should carry out an inspections on stranded Ugandans with view to repatriating them home,” he said■
