The government has repatriated a Ugandan lady identified as Prossy Nambalirwa who has been stranded in Saudi Arabia. She arrived at Entebbe International Airport at around 11:00 am on Wednesday, 5th February, and was welcomed by government officials from the Ministry of Gender in the presence of the Mawogola County MP Garreth Namugga, parents, and relatives.
Nambalirwa’s video showcasing her situation went viral on social media, where she is seen pleading for her return to Uganda, as she is not only physically wounded but also mentally sick.
While receiving Nambalirwa at Entebbe airport, Mohammed Bagonza, the Senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs, said that it’s the role of the government to protect its citizens and properties wherever they are, and that’s why they intervened to rescue her from Saudi Arabia.
“It’s our responsibility to make sure that you live in whichever place or country you are safe. Of course, there are many protocols which are always assigned by the government to protect other people in the host countries,” he said.
In addition, Bagonza revealed that they are on the move of identifying all companies which are not working very well and screening will be done so that such institutions are put aside.
“We are happy that when we received Nambalirwa’s news, we worked together with the Ministry of Gender and the company which took Nambalirwa so that we facilitate her return,” the presidential advisor on diaspora affairs noted.
According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development’s public relations officer, Joshua Kyalimpa, the government intervened and rescued Nambalirwa from the residence where she suffered torture to the hospital in Saudi Arabia and then finally back to her motherland.
He encouraged Ugandans to use only registered companies while processing their movements because the Ministry runs the External Employment Management System (EEMS), which records all Ugandans who have gone to work abroad in proper channels with the registered companies for easy tracing.
“I’m very happy that there is some progress. However, the sector needs more support so that we can be advanced because it is still young, and more funding is needed to externalisation of people in professionals such as nurses, teachers, and engineers among others,” Kyalimpa noted.
Mawogola County MP Gorreth Namugga criticized the high costs of labour exportation, low earnings and the lack of government support for Ugandan workers abroad.
“These companies charge highly, and when things go wrong, they are nowhere. The government should act as the safety net for these workers,” Namugga said.
Namugga, therefore, urged the government to fast-track the bill on labour externalisation and called for a database of migrant workers to help in monitoring the tracing of those who might encounter threats while on duty, most especially in Arabian countries.
“Today we are happy that Nambalirwa is home, but there are so many of her colleagues that are going through the same in the diaspora, so we need to have the sector regulated and also provide funding for the missions abroad to minimize such cases,” she added.
The Mawogola County MP also appreciated different individuals who shared Nambalirwa’s video on social media and the embassy of Uganda in Saudi Arabia, saying, “I am very grateful to the embassy in Saudi Arabia, specifically Faridah Nanyunja, the Consular Assistant and Nasser Ssebagala, who handled this when we were still on the holiday.”
Nambalirwa, who looked to be with an unstable mind, said that she went to Saudi Arabia to work as a housemind in 2022, but after she had just worked for a year, things turned to the extent of having a forced car accident.
“One day, as we were travelling, I was pushed out of the moving car. Unfortunately, I went unconscious and normalized when I was in the hospital. After being stranded without knowing what to do, I made a video which trended viral on social media till when the embassy of Uganda in Saudi Arabia through Madam Faridah Nanyunja intervened, “ she said.
Livingstone Nsereko, the father to Nambalirwa, lauded the government and its agencies, including its embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Gender, that had made her daughter’s return possible, saying, “Thank you to everyone who rendered support when approached.” He also added a voice by appealing for support in terms of treatment and capital to his child.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Bagonza, the Senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs, pledged to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development to at least provide Nambalirwa with a start-up capital that will enable her to settle comfortably and look after her children.
About The Author
