Ugandan Labour Migrants Face Exploitation and Deception in Middle East

Many Ugandans dream of better lives through Middle East jobs, but reality often brings debt traps, exploitation, and violence with scant justice.

Victims like Hadijah Namulindwa recount phones confiscated upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, isolating them from family and delaying wages that trigger abuse. Naseem Namubiru faced neglect for malaria treatment and unpaid work across homes, urging better contract understanding before departure.

Nusurah Namyalo’s sister worked unpaid post-contract due to withheld documents, losing savings to employers. Umar Kyeyune discovered his promised factory role swapped for harsh gardening with threats of deportation. Richard Nakibinge’s daughter suffered arrest and lasting trauma after a workplace dispute, with agents unresponsive.

Yasin Kintu lost his home and land to a scam promising supermarket work from a Kampala firm. Over 317,000 Ugandans secured formal Middle East jobs in the past decade, mostly women, yet misinformation via social media fuels unsafe paths, per Makerere researcher Dr. Aisha Nakiwala Ssembatya.

Districts like Butambala and Bugweri send many to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Oman. Recruiters, sometimes relatives, evade rules; firms use fake licenses or hold passports illegally.

Ministry official Hillary Talemwa notes bypassed formal processes and excessive fees, with legal admin costs capped at Shs50,000. Reforms include extending pre-departure training to 1-2 months for cultural and mental prep, welcomed by agencies like UAERA’s Ian Kaijuka.

Plans for mandatory health insurance cover emergencies, death, or repatriation, especially for those straying to black markets. Licensed firms provide Shs100 million guarantees, but unlicensed scams leave victims empty-handed. Labour export generated Shs30 billion by mid-2024.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)