The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the standards of labour externalization through strategic bilateral partnerships with Saudi Arabia.
This announcement was made by State Minister for Gender, Esther Anyakun, on Monday while updating the country on the outcomes of a recent ministerial and technical visit to Saudi Arabia.
The visit, which took place from October 14 to 17, aimed to monitor the welfare and working conditions of Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
During this period, Anyakun led a delegation that addressed a range of issues affecting Ugandan workers in the Kingdom.
A key highlight of the discussions was Uganda’s request for clemency for its citizens, including women, who are detained in Saudi Arabia for various offenses.
Many Ugandans have since been languishing in prison and deportation centers across the country.
“I am pleased to announce that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has agreed to pardon Ugandan migrant workers who have been stranded in several deportation centers and prisons across the country,” Anyakun said, referring to the discussions held during the Ugandan delegation’s visit to Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia is the largest destination for Ugandan migrant workers, with over 150,000 Ugandans employed in the country. The delegation, which included Uganda’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, also focused on addressing key challenges affecting migrant workers, strengthening bilateral relations, and documenting distressed cases to facilitate their repatriation.
Migrant workers have often raised concerns, particularly through social media, about mistreatment by recruitment agencies and employers, including cases of harassment.
With this visit, the Ugandan government aims to address these issues through its continued collaboration with Saudi authorities.
In 2023, Uganda and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral labour agreement that places responsibility on the host country to ensure the rights and welfare of Ugandan workers.
In a gesture of goodwill, the Saudi government pledged to expedite the repatriation of distressed migrant workers and support their reintegration into Ugandan society, offering relief to many families who have been living in uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones.
Ugandan migrant workers in the Middle East contribute approximately USD 900 million annually to the country’s economy.
