The Ugandan government has revealed that at least 400 migrants will be deported from the United Arab Emirates.
The migrant workers according to the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development hot stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
The Ugandan government said they’ve been pardoned and given free air tickets by the UAE.
Many Ugandans had made distress calls to the government of both countries seeking the release of their compatriots.
It’s not a strange occurrence to see an African immigrant held in the UAE as many risk living without papers in search of survival.
The UAE has also employed different highhanded approaches to the treatment of African nationals in recent times.
Gender Minister, Betty Amongi said on Thursday said many of the deportees were victims of human trafficking.
“Some of the cases have turned out to be pranks. The majority of the genuine cases have been victims of human trafficking or individuals who travelled on their own and have overstayed their tourist or visit visas,”
She said an August 2022 report stated that many of the Ugandans in the UAE stay on the street.
“The report indicates that in early August, 2022, the authorities of UAE offered free tickets to all illegal immigrants. As a result , many illegal migrant workers have reported to Al Awir Immigration Centre for assessment and eventual repatriation to Uganda.”
The Minister advised Ugandans, who seek greener pastures abroad to go through recruitment companies in order to avoid problems.
There are now than 200,000 Ugandans in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia at 156,281, the UAE at 20486 and Qatar 10203 holding the biggest.