Photo credit: Watchdog Uganda
The authorities in Uganda have repatriated 146 migrants stranded in Saudi Arabia’s deportation centre and prisons, including 54 who arrived in Uganda over the weekend.
AllAfrica reports that the effort was led by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development following an agreement between both countries reached during an official visit last month.
The government is also urging Ugandans residing in the United Arab Emirates to without proper documentation to take advantage of an amnesty set to expire in December.
Esther Anyakun Davinia, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, highlighted the government’s continued commitment to the welfare of Ugandans abroad. She said, “This is a key development and underscores our commitment to the welfare of our citizens abroad.”
The Saudi pardon for Ugandan migrant workers was negotiated during a ministerial visit by led by Anyakun from October 14 to 17 where she held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed Alrajhi.
The discussions resulted in an agreement to release Ugandans who had been detained in the Kingdom.
