The Ministry of internal affairs has revealed that a total of 75000 Ugandans are living in the United Arab Emirates illegally.
Last week, government facilitated the return of over 156 Ugandans who are part of the 1500 Ugandans stuck in United Arab Emirates.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Simon Peter Mundeyi told journalists that whereas there are over 100,000 Ugandans working in UAE, only 25000 of these are legally in the country.
He says that the remaining 75000 travelled to UAE using unlicenced companies whereas others went on their own with the hope of finding employment.
Mundeyi adds that many of these have their work permits expired and others without permits had their passports confiscated by agents who took them to UAE and later piled them in hostels where they are asked to go out and do odd jobs including prostitution where proceeds go to the agents.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson says 1500 of these recently benefited from a waiver after the Ugandan government through the ministries of Gender, Internal Affairs, Finance and Foreign Affairs negotiated with its counterparts in UAE.
Meanwhile Mundeyi appealed to Ugandans who are stuck in UAE but are willing to be rescued to report to the designated immigration centers from where they will be registered and later returned home.
