Singer and politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP) has announced dates for concerts to help raise funds to help Ugandans stuck in hell-like kyeyo slave jobs in the Middle East.
In recent weeks, there have been reports of Ugandans stuck in the United Arab Emirates for various reasons, including the expiry of their tourist and visitor visas.
As recent as September 08, Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (Mogsld) said at least 400 citizens from the impoverished East African country were stuck in UAE.
Minister Betty Amongi told reporters that most of those stuck had either been trafficked or had travelled on their own only to overstay their tourist and visit visas.
She further noted that at the beginning of last month, authorities in UAE offered free tickets to all illegal migrants, prompting many of them to report to Al Awir Immigration Centre for assessment and eventual repatriation to Uganda.
Minister Among went on to say that all the 452 Ugandans who reported to the Al Awir Immigration Centre for assessment and repatriation had not sought the help of licensed recruitment companies before travelling to UAE. They had either used illegal means, been trafficked or travelled on their own,
It has also been reported that a number of these stranded Ugandans have been living on the streets for weeks.
Now, Bobi Wine and his singing partner Ali Buken aka Nubian Li have announced they will hold concerts to raise funds to help these stranded people return home.
“We are Announcing a Concert Aimed at Raising Funds to Assist Ugandans stranded in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, etc. As we know, hundreds of Ugandans are stranded in these countries with no help. Many of them want to return home but have no funds to facilitate their travels,” read the announcement made Sunday.
“On 8th Oct, 2022 we shall be live in concert at Abu Hail Club Stadium in Dubai, and on 9th Oct, 2022 in Abu Dhabi at Villagio Hotel & Resort. Proceeds will go to assist our sisters and brothers. Let’s turn up in our usual large numbers and make the cause worthwhile.”
It should be remembered that over the years, some Ugandans who had gone to work in the Middle East have returned dead due to torture at the hands of their bosses or suicide.
In May 2022, a Ugandan woman working as a maid in Dubai jumped off a building and died. (Read Story Here).
