A total of 146 Ugandans have so far been repatriated back home, with 54 who arrived home over the weekend.
The State Minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, Esther Anyakun Davinia said this follows a ministerial and technical visit to Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 14 to 17, 2024.
She said during the meeting, held with the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Ahmed Alrajhi, Saudi Arabia agreed to pardon Ugandan migrant workers who had been stranded in deportation centers and prisons across the Kingdom.
“I am happy to inform you that 146 Ugandans have so far been repatriated back home, the latest being 54 Ugandan girls who arrived this weekend aboard Air Arabia,” she noted.
While addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) today November 11, 2024, Anyakun noted that the key development underscores Uganda’s commitment to the welfare of our citizens abroad, and will continue to work with our partners to ensure safe return of all Ugandans still stranded.
She urged all Ugandan migrant workers who find themselves in such circumstances to take advantage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pardon which has a window of 90 days and the Amnesty by the United Arab Emirates to Ugandans currently residing in the UAE without proper documentation or facing legal issues.
The minister said the amnesty is in effect until December 2024.
“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 said all those who wish to take advantage of the amnesty, should proceed to the nearest airport and arrange their travel back to Uganda.
Anyakun said the government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding the rights of Ugandan migrant workers abroad, whether through bilateral negotiations, repatriation, or reintegration initiatives.
She noted that the Ministry is partnering with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to offer counselling, rehabilitation and re-integration of the returnees.
“Our recent progress, in partnership with both the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, affirms our commitment to ensuring that Ugandan workers are treated with respect and dignity. We look forward to continued dialogue and further collaboration aimed at strengthening labor relations, protecting our citizens, and enhancing Uganda’s standards for labor externalization,” she noted.
