Rwenzururu King discourages men from sending their wives abroad as casual labourers

BY RWENZORI DAILY

The Rwenzururu King, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma has condemned the manner in which a section of men have allegedly sent their wives to work in the Diaspora in an attempt to accumulate wealth.

The Omusinga says he feels disappointed with the way some of his male subjects are sending their wives to go outside the country to look for money that they think will solve the challenges without putting in the health risks while working in those foreign countries.

The Omusinga adds that he is happy with the decision taken by the government of Uganda to suspend her bilateral labour export agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the alleged continued mistreatment and torture of Ugandan Migrant Workers.

In 2017, the Ugandan government entered into a five-year labour agreement with Saudi Arabia aimed at promoting the welfare and rights of migrant workers.

Statistics from the ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development show that Saudi Arabia is the biggest labour externalization destination in the Middle East with over 150,000 Ugandans migrant workers. 

However, there have been persistent complaints about the torture of Ugandan labourers, confiscation of their travel documents such as passports, denial of leave and return permits, and non-payment among others.

With the effective expiry of the agreement on December 27, 2022, Uganda through the ministry of Gender asked Saudi Arabia to address the different grievances raised by Ugandan migrants if the agreement is to be renewed.

On December 23, 2022, the permanent secretary of the ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development, Aggrey David Kibenge informed recruitment agencies and pre-departure orientation and training institutions that the agreement with Saudi Arabia had been suspended immediately pending re-negotiations.

It is from this background that the Omusinga has asked his subjects and the general public to be creative and utilize the available resources for income generation than opting for casual works in such countries at the expense of their lives.

In a related development, the Rwenzururu King has reiterated his warning to the subjects to desist from selling their only pieces of land for self centred motives, arguing that the act might negatively affect not only the family members but also the children to be born.

The Rwenzururu Kingdom leader has since courted the members of the public to observe and maintain peace, love and unity within this New Year in order to live in a country that is free from security threats.