Uganda Faces Rising Migrant Worker Crisis as Gulf Distress Cases Surge

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised alarm over the growing number of Ugandan migrant workers facing abuse, imprisonment, illness and exploitation abroad, warning that the increasing labour externalisation trend is placing unprecedented pressure on the country’s consular services.

Appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on Monday, Permanent Secretary Hon. Vincent Bagiire revealed that the ministry receives weekly reports of Ugandans in distress, particularly from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, with many requiring urgent government intervention.

“On a weekly basis, we receive communications from Saudi Arabia about Ugandans in distress. Some of them are in prison, others are physically and mentally ill and require urgent attention,” Bagiire told legislators.

Bagiire made the remarks while appearing before the committee chaired by Hon. Grace Kwiyucwiny, following concerns raised by the Representative for Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Robert Ssewagudde, over the plight of Ugandan migrant workers who continue to fall victim to exploitation and human trafficking.

The Permanent Secretary called for a nationwide sensitisation campaign to discourage Ugandans from falling prey to fraudulent labour recruitment schemes masquerading as lucrative employment opportunities abroad.

“It is true we have done some sensitisation, but I must add that it is inadequate. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for implementing the Anti-Human Trafficking law and has the duty to conduct massive sensitisation to ensure Ugandans do not fall prey to these so-called lucrative opportunities, yet it is human trafficking,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Mr. Vincent Bagiire

Although labour externalisation is regulated by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and generates an estimated US$2 billion annually in remittances, Bagiire said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs bears the costly responsibility of rescuing and assisting distressed Ugandans overseas without a dedicated repatriation budget.

“There are some Ugandans who are arrested in Iraq. We reached out to the authorities and they are positive to release them. The challenge is the absence of resources to return them, as you know there is no allocation to repatriate them,” he explained.

He noted that government has increasingly been forced to organise emergency evacuations from conflict zones and countries where Ugandans are trafficked into exploitative conditions.

Bagiire cited the recent repatriation of hundreds of Ugandans from Myanmar as an example, revealing that despite rescue efforts, more Ugandans continue travelling to the same high-risk destinations.

“Recently, we repatriated hundreds of Ugandans from Myanmar. The Ethiopian Airlines plane that returned 43 Ugandans also carried about 20 going to the same destination. The most unfortunate thing is that it is Ugandans who are trafficking fellow Ugandans. Some of them are known and have been arrested, but we shall intensify our campaign to stop these Ugandans from travelling,” he said.

He emphasised that prevention through public awareness remains the most effective response, especially discouraging travel to war-torn countries and destinations associated with human trafficking networks.

Members of Parliament urged government to move beyond expressing concern and take concrete measures to protect Ugandans working overseas.

Hon. Gabriel Okumu (NRM, Okoro County) said the continued incarceration and suffering of Ugandan migrant workers abroad demands a more deliberate government response.

“One of the biggest challenges of Ugandans working abroad is their continued incarceration. We can’t continue reading the book of lamentation. We must be deliberate in protecting our citizens because when you travel abroad, ambassadors are crying foul,” Okumu said.

The committee’s discussions highlighted the growing humanitarian and diplomatic burden posed by labour migration, with lawmakers calling for stronger inter-agency coordination, increased funding for repatriation efforts, and tougher action against human traffickers targeting vulnerable Ugandans seeking employment abroad.