JUST IN! Stranded Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia Have Deadline to Benefit From Amnesty

By Our Reporter

NATIONAL

Ugandan Migrant workers who are still either in prisons or deportation centers over minor offences have a few more days to benefit from the Saudi Arabia government Pardon/Amnesty.

According to the Minister of State for Labour, Employment & Industrial Relations, Esther Anyakun, the Saudi Arabia government pardon has a window of 90 days from the date of issue.

Anyakun while updating the nation on the progress so far made in repatriating stranded Ugandan Migrants today, Monday, 11^th November, 2024 at Uganda Media Center says the Amnesty was given on 21^st October, 2024.

By implication therefore, the Amnesty is due to expire on or about 17^th January, 2025 and those who would not have taken advantage may find themselves still in deportation centers/prisons.

“I would like to call upon Ugandans who find themselves in these circumstances to take advantage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pardon which has a window of 90 days and the Amnesty by the United Arab Emirates to Ugandans currently residing in the UAE is for those without proper documentation or facing legal issues,” she says.

FULL STATEMENT

On the 21st of October 2024 I announced to the nation the outcome of a Ministerial and Technical visit to Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which I led from 14th to 17th October 2024.

During that visit in a meeting I held with the Minister of Human Resources & Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Eng. Ahmed Alrajhi, Saudi Arabia agreed to pardon Ugandan migrant workers who had been stranded in deportation centers and prisons.

This is therefore to update you on the progress made so far in regard to securing the release of our people in Saudi Arabia as well as the current amnesty granted to Ugandans in the United Arab Emirates due to expire soon.

I am happy to inform you that 146 Ugandans have so far been repatriated back home, the latest being 54 Ugandan girls who arrived this weekend aboard Air Arabia.

This is a key development and underscores our commitment to the welfare of our citizens abroad, and we continue to work with our partners to ensure safe return of all Ugandans still stranded.

I would like to call upon Ugandans who find themselves in these circumstances to take advantage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pardon which has a window of 90 days.

And the Amnesty by the United Arab Emirates to Ugandans currently residing in the UAE without proper documentation or facing legal issues.

The Ministry is partnering with the International Organization for Migration to offer counselling, rehabilitation and re-integration of the returnees.