Parliament last year unanimously voted to support a motion that asked government to put a total ban on the export of Ugandans to work as domestic workers in foreign countries on ground that they were being mistreated others being killed.

Margaret Komuhangi (Right) together with the Leader of Opposition Winfred Kizza.

Committee Chairperson, Margret Komuhangi  who is also the Nakasogola Woman MP, while presiding over a committee meeting resolved that the ban be lifted to those companies which have been found to be in line with guidelines that was set so that their allowed to continue recruiting as well export labour as they used to do.

“I think we should consider the fact that some companies have since the ban tried to rectify the mistakes that were previously carried out.As MPs we set out these guidelines to enable companies do the right thing but also protect the rights of the Ugandan workers who are taken to the middle east countries especially Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Oman, Kuwait,” she said.

Komuhangi said, the committee observed that during the ban Ugandans were being taken outside the country in what she called black market and there it was resolved that companies meet the requirements be allowed to operate while those with question mark be monitored until they meet the requirement that was set.

Some Uganda ladies being paraded by Ugandan government officials .

Parliament had carried out several investigations in which it was found that many Ugandans are being mistreated in Kuwait, China, United Arab Emirates and Malaysia where their potential employers withdraw passports from Ugandans as a form of demanding loyalty and holding them onto the jobs which created fear among Ugandans who were exported to render the service.

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State Minister for Gender, Peace Mutuuzo.

The chairperson of the committee who is also Nakasongola Woman MP, Margaret Komuhangi directed the State Minister for Gender, Peace Mutuzo who had appeared before the committee to ensure that the re-development of both the Nomo gallery and National theater are fast tracked to enable them  generate more income and create employment opportunities for Ugandans.

In the same vain, the Chairman General of National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) who is also a board member of Uganda National Cultural Centre, Usher Wilson Owere commends the committee for the directive noting that the redevelopment is going to take place as planned.

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The ban was imposed about six months ago with the intervention of the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) that intervened and transported a number of girls back home.

However, while appearing before Parliament on Tuesday August 16, officials from the MGLSD attempted to persuade Parliament to lift its ban saying the situation has since improved following their numerous meetings with officials especially from Saudi Arabia where most complaints were registered and other neighboring countries. Their attempts were however, futile as the Parliamentarians stood their ground on the matter.

State Minister for Labour, Herbert Kabafunzaki.

State Minister for Labour, Herbert Kabafunzaki, said that a law would be made to monitor workers’ right but faced stiff resistance from members; Beatrice Anywa,Woman MP, Kitgum district, Matthias Mpuuga, Member of Parliament  , Masaka Municipality, together with the leader of opposition Winfred Kiiza, who argued that lifting the ban would endanger the unemployed youths whom they said were mixed with both the literate and the illiterate and make them slaves.

“It is a responsibility of leaders to ensure that Ugandans are not involved in the modern-day slavery. We shall not accept this because previously there have been assurances on this matter but all we continue hearing and seeing in the media are these ugly scenes where Ugandans are humiliated by their employers in the Middle East. Let us get a solution for these youths here,” Kiiza charged.
Lucy Akello, the MP for Amuru district, said that the workers taken out especially to Arab countries should be given both going and return tickets so that when they are mistreated, it is easier for them to return home.

The Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, however, asked the gender ministry officials to take to parliament a bill in regards to externalization of labour so that there can be a mechanism that regulates the export of labour prompting the Minister of State for Labour, Herbert Kabafunzaki who said he would draft the document that he will soon table before the house.

Parliament also mandated the parliamentary committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development to investigate more into issues of labour exports and give a report to parliament.

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