Middle East Drug Cartels Target Ugandan Workers

(Kampala) – Industrial Relations State Minister Esther Davinia Anyakun has advised Ugandans traveling abroad for work to remain alert and steer clear of drug cartels and other criminal activities. During a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on October 21, 2024, Anyakun shared experiences from her recent ministerial trip to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of understanding local laws.

Anyakun explained the challenges in protecting Ugandans who engage in illegal activities overseas. “I just want to tell you that it is next to impossible,” she remarked, underscoring the stringent legal framework in host countries. She stressed the necessity for Ugandan agencies to educate citizens about the laws they must adhere to while abroad.

The minister highlighted a recent incident involving a young Ugandan woman who was arrested in Riyadh for unknowingly transporting illegal drugs. “Two weeks ago, a girl left Uganda via Addis Ababa, where she met a cartel that gave her a bag to deliver in Riyadh. She passed through migration, but upon reaching her hotel, she was arrested after the drugs were detected,” Anyakun detailed. She expressed concern for the girl’s future, stating, “Imagine, she is now counting her days at such a tender age.”

To prevent similar situations, Anyakun urged Ugandans to be cautious and avoid accepting luggage or packages from strangers. “We need to preach this: do not talk to strangers or accept baggage that doesn’t belong to you, because you don’t know the intentions behind it,” she warned.

The minister also addressed the potential risks of carrying certain traditional herbal items, which may be misunderstood in foreign cultures. “Some girls carry herbal things, thinking they will bring them luck with their employers. When Arabs see you smoking these things, they may mistake them for drugs,” she noted. Anyakun encouraged Ugandans to focus on their work and adhere to the laws of their host countries, saying, “Leave your pipes (mindi) and leaves in Kampala. When you come back, you can use them, but there is no other God who can give you luck apart from Allah and God.”

During her visit to Saudi Arabia, Anyakun engaged with Saudi officials to discuss the welfare of Ugandans detained for non-capital offenses, particularly women with children born in Saudi Arabia. She acknowledged the ongoing cooperation between Uganda and Saudi Arabia aimed at improving labor relations and ensuring the dignified treatment of Ugandan migrant workers.

“Saudi Arabia is the biggest destination for Ugandan migrant workers, accounting for over 150,000 workers,” Anyakun stated. She mentioned a bilateral labor agreement signed in 2023, which mandates Saudi Arabia to uphold the rights of Ugandan workers.

Anyakun was joined at the media briefing by other government officials, including Hillary Talemwa, head of labor externalization, Isaiah Masiga, head of internal employment, and Joshua Kyalimpa, the ministry’s communications officer.