GOVERNMENT REPATRIATES 146 UGANDANS FROM SAUDI ARABIA
Drake Nyamugabwa
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The government of Uganda In an effort to ensure the protection and welfare of Ugandan migrant workers abroad, has repatriated 146 citizens from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including a recent group of 54 young women who arrived over the weekend on an Air Arabia flight.
While addressing the media, Esther Anyakun Davinia the Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations alluded that this repatriation marks a vital step in Uganda’s ongoing commitment to its citizens, many of whom have faced difficult circumstances while working abroad.
I am happy to inform you that 146 Ugandans have so far been repatriated back home, the latest being 54 Ugandan girls who arrived this weekend aboard Air Arabia,” the Minister announced.
The accomplishment whose latest visualization was seen over the weekend is the result of intensive discussions held between Ugandan officials and their Saudi counterparts, leading to a general pardon from Saudi Arabia that facilitates the return of Ugandans who had been stranded or detained.
The repatriations follows a ministerial visit to Riyadh from October 14th to 17th, led by Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development. During this visit, Ugandan officials engaged with H.E. Eng. Ahmed Alrajhi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
Through this engagement, Uganda secured a 90-day pardon for Ugandan migrant workers facing legal or immigration issues. The pardon provides a window for Ugandans to return home without penalties or additional legal complications.
The government has strongly encouraged Ugandans in similar circumstances to take advantage of this pardon. “This is a key development and underscores our commitment to the welfare of our citizens abroad,” the Minister emphasized, adding that the government’s approach combines diplomatic negotiation with practical support for the safe return of all Ugandans facing challenges in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, the government highlighted an ongoing amnesty for Ugandans in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which expires in December 2024. This amnesty offers Ugandans residing in the UAE without proper documentation and a penalty-free return home.
In the meantime, the number of 146 Ugandans repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is still small since there are still so many Ugandans stranded in both the cells and streets across the Arab world.
