Uganda and Saudi Arabia Inked Agreement for Pardon of Ugandan Migrant Workers

By Faridah N Kulumba

Africa-Press – Uganda. The government of Uganda and the Saudi Arabian kingdom signed an agreement aimed at pardoning hundreds of Ugandan migrant workers currently stranded in Saudi deportation centres and prisons. The deal was signed between Uganda’s Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Esther Anyakun Davinia, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources, Eng. Ahmed Alrajhi and it will see many Ugandans stranded in Saudi pardoned and repatriated.
The agreement

The deal was reached following the Ugandan government and Saudi Arabia holding high-level discussions in Riyadh from October 14-17, 2024, that was poised to improve the lives of many Ugandans who have faced dire circumstances abroad. Uganda’s Ministry of Labour, issued a statement that confirmed the agreement that was signed between the two nations, adding that it was aimed at improving the plight of Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.

Blessed ones

According to Uganda’s Ministry of Labour, the agreement focuses on the clemency for Ugandan migrant workers detained for non-capital offenses, with particular attention to women with children born in Saudi Arabia and those held for minor infractions. However, Ugandans sentenced for serious crimes such as drug trafficking and murder will not be eligible for the pardon. This agreement addresses the long-standing challenges faced by Ugandan workers in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.

Human rights concern

Many reports have highlighted the mistreatment of many Ugandan workers, particularly women employed as domestic helpers, who have endured physical and emotional abuse, exploitation, delayed wages, and harsh working conditions. The high-profile nature of this agreement indicates a growing recognition of these issues. Human rights organizations have long raised concerns about the vulnerability of migrant workers from Uganda and other African countries in the Gulf region. In Saudi Arabia, as in many Middle Eastern nations, the kafala (sponsorship) system places foreign workers under the control of their employers, often leading to situations of exploitation. Migrant workers have limited legal recourse under this system, with their passports typically confiscated, leaving them unable to leave abusive situations. In April 2021. the Saudi Arabia embassy in Kampala halted the issuance of visas to Ugandans who wanted to travel to the gulf to work as housekeepers. The visa ban exercise for the Ugandan maids which started on April 19 is said to be temporary, but it has affected the travel of more than 20,000 maids and income of several local companies dealing in labour export. Uganda has been working to improve protections for its migrant workers abroad, negotiating labour agreements with several countries in the Middle East to ensure better working conditions, access to legal support, and fair treatment.

Pardon benefits

The recently signed agreement between Uganda and Saudi Arabia is part of these broader efforts. Hon. Anyakun emphasized the importance of ensuring that Ugandan workers are treated with dignity and respect, calling for stricter enforcement of labour standards in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, a major destination for migrant labour from East Africa, has been under pressure to reform its labour policies amid mounting international criticism. The decision to pardon Ugandan workers is seen as a positive step toward improving bilateral ties and addressing the humanitarian issues faced by migrant workers in the kingdom. The pardon will bring relief to families in Uganda who have been awaiting the return of their loved ones, many of whom left home with hopes of better opportunities but ended up in precarious situations.

Uganda and Saudi Arabia’s bilateral ties

The current friendly relations between the Republic of Uganda and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia date back to the 1970s and since then several bilateral relations in several fields have been penned. The amicable relations between both nations have resulted into signing cooperations, in political, economic, educational, and cultural areas. The strengthening the bilateral ties between both nations has enhanced cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of both nations.

Health: – between 2021 and 2022, Uganda and Saudi Arabia signed agreements such as a USD 30 million loan agreement for constructing and rehabilitating the Uganda Heart Institute.

Education: -Saudi has increased the number of scholarships for Ugandan students to study in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom’s significant support for educational endeavours in Uganda, notably through initiatives such as the Islamic University of Uganda. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia every year funds several Ugandans to perform pilgrims (Hajj), enabling many to undertake pilgrimages to the revered holy mosques.

Economical: – Saudi Arabia is the largest labour destination for Ugandan migrant workers, with over 150,000 Ugandans employed in the Kingdom. These workers contribute significantly to Uganda’s economy, generating over USD 900 million annually.

In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Uganda signed a new agreement to employ domestic workers from the African country, to ensure continued labour cooperation. The joint agreement between the two sides had been institutionalized following the signing of the labour agreement in 2017 aimed at promoting the welfare and rights of migrant workers. On 10th November 2023, Uganda and Saudi Arabia signed the Bilateral Air Services Agreement in Riyadh, on the sidelines of the Saudi-Africa Summit. The agreement aims to facilitate scheduled international air services for airlines from both countries, including Uganda Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas. Representatives from Uganda, led by officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) and Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

Trade: – Uganda’s Exports to Saudi Arabia were USD 4.91 million in 2021, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Saudi Arabia is a key development partner in Uganda’s development process. In 2021, both countries discussed an array of issues, key among them investments in steel manufacturing, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) centres and copper mining and processing.

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