All Ugandan migrant workers currently stranded or residing in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates without proper documentation have until December 2024 to make their way back home.
During a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) on November 11, 2024, State Minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, Esther Anyakun Davinia, urged those in these situations to seize the opportunity presented by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pardon, which is available for a 90-day period, as well as the amnesty offered by the United Arab Emirates for Ugandans living there without proper documentation or facing legal challenges.
“We urge all Ugandans in the UAE to seize this opportunity to return home without incurring penalties, as the amnesty will end in December,” she noted.
She stated that all individuals interested in benefiting from the amnesty are encouraged to head to the nearest airport to organize their return to Uganda.
Anyakun emphasized that the Ugandan government, is steadfast in its dedication to protecting the rights of Ugandan migrant workers overseas, utilizing methods such as bilateral discussions, repatriation, and reintegration programs.
She also highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide counselling, rehabilitation, and support for the reintegration of returnees.
Anyakun emphasized that this significant development highlights Uganda’s dedication to the well-being of its citizens living overseas.
She noted that the country will persist in collaborating with its partners to guarantee the safe return of all Ugandans who remain stranded.
This development comes after a ministerial and technical visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 14 to 17, 2024, during which Saudi Arabia consented to pardon Ugandan migrant workers who had been held in deportation centers and prisons throughout the Kingdom. So far 146 migrants have been repatriated
