‘Ugandan migrant workers living in distress’

Ugandan migrant workers who sought greener pastures abroad are now living in severe distress as a result of labour externalisation pressures. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Vincent bagiire said that labour externalisation pressure has driven up consular distress cases, repatriation and welfare demands, especially in the Gulf region. “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 said. Bagiire, who, along with his technical staff, on Monday, 03 August 2026, appeared before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Hon. Grace Kwiyucwiny, called for an intensified sensitisation campaign to curb the surge in human trafficking cases. This followed concerns by the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Representative, Hon. Robert Ssewagudde who asked for the ministry’s interventions to save Ugandan migrant workers from victimisation and distress. “It is true we have done some sensitisation, but I must add that it is inadequate. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the one responsible for the implementation of the ant