Kampala: Ugandan migrant workers who sought greener pastures abroad are now living in severe distress as a result of labour externalisation pressures. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Vincent Bagiire, highlighted the growing consular distress cases, repatriation, and welfare demands, particularly in the Gulf region.

According to African Press Organization, Bagiire noted that communications from Saudi Arabia about Ugandans in distress are received on a weekly basis. He mentioned that some of these individuals are in prison, while others suffer from physical and mental illnesses, requiring urgent attention. Bagiire, accompanied by his technical staff, addressed the Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Hon. Grace Kwiyucwiny, on the pressing need for an intensified sensitisation campaign to combat the rise in human trafficking cases.

This initiative was prompted by concerns raised by the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Representative, Hon. Robert Ssewagudde, who urged the ministry to intervene and protect Ugandan migrant workers from victimisation and distress. Bagiire acknowledged that although some sensitisation efforts have been made, they remain insufficient. He emphasized that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, responsible for implementing the anti-human trafficking law, must conduct extensive sensitisation to prevent Ugandans from falling prey to deceptive opportunities that constitute human trafficking.

In Uganda, labour externalisation, which brings in approximately US$2 billion in remittances, is regulated by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. This ministry is tasked with licensing labour export companies. Despite this, Bagiire pointed out that the Foreign Affairs Ministry bears the burden of repatriating Ugandans who endure harsh and exploitative working conditions and face human trafficking.

Bagiire further revealed that some Ugandans have been arrested in Iraq, and while the authorities there are willing to release them, the challenge lies in the lack of resources to facilitate their return, as there is no budget allocation for repatriation.