(Kampala) – A total of 57 Ugandans who had been detained in various prisons in Saudi Arabia have been repatriated after the Saudi government pardoned them. These individuals had been arrested for various offenses while working as migrant laborers in the Gulf. Abbey Walusimbi, the senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs, confirmed the repatriation, which took place in early November.
The repatriation is part of a larger initiative launched by the Ugandan government to bring back over 800 nationals stranded in the Gulf states by the end of January 2025. Walusimbi, who is overseeing this initiative, explained that many Ugandans in the region have faced exploitation, including charges of illegal stay and prostitution. According to Walusimbi, more than 580 Ugandans are currently stranded in Saudi Arabia, while another 100 are in the United Arab Emirates. Some others are facing life sentences in Jordan.
Over the past decade, the number of Ugandan migrant workers in the Gulf has increased significantly, with Saudi Arabia alone hosting over 200,000 workers. Despite this growth, enforcement of labor protections both domestically and abroad remains weak, leaving many workers vulnerable to various forms of exploitation.
The government has responded to these challenges by establishing a task force, following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni. The task force is tasked with helping Ugandan nationals in the Gulf, and the Minister of State for Labour, Esther Anyakun, has already arrived in the UAE to work on improving conditions for Ugandans in the region.
This repatriation also comes on the heels of a recent conference on combating drug and human trafficking, which was held at the President’s Office in Kampala. The conference, attended by senior officials, discussed strategies to curb trafficking, which remains a concern for many Ugandans in the diaspora.
Additionally, Anyakun had revealed that Saudi Arabia had agreed to pardon Ugandan migrant workers who were stranded in deportation centers and prisons across the kingdom. This agreement followed successful negotiations between Ugandan officials and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Ahmed Alrajhu.
Among the repatriated individuals is Aisha, whose return to Uganda reflects the uncertainty many repatriates feel. While relieved to be back home, Aisha and others like her are uncertain about their future, as they face the challenge of starting over. The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development has assured the public that plans are in place to rehabilitate and reintegrate these individuals into Ugandan society. Minister Anyakun emphasized that while the government is grateful for the support of international partners like the International Organization for Migration (IOM), it is ultimately the responsibility of the Ugandan government to ensure the successful reintegration of these returning citizens.
The repatriation efforts also received praise from various officials, with Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Betty Amongi, and Minister Anyakun playing key roles in negotiations that led to the repatriation. On November 5, another group of 20 Ugandans returned home, and they were greeted at Entebbe International Airport by government officials who were on hand to provide support.
| Statistic | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total repatriated Ugandans | 57 | 100% |
| Ugandans in Saudi Arabia | 580+ | – |
| Ugandans in UAE | 100+ | – |
| Ugandans facing life sentences in Jordan | – | – |
| Total target for repatriation by 2025 | 800 | – |
