Kampala- Government has advised stranded Ugandans in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to remain there until further guidance is provided.
Mr
James Ebitu, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender Labour
and Social Development, yesterday said any plans to help the stranded
Ugandans will be
decided upon by Cabinet and Parliament.
decided upon by Cabinet and Parliament.
“Every
Ugandan is still advised to stay where they are just as it was done to
the students in China…as of now, we advise them to stay there until
further guidance from government is decided,” Mr Ebitu said.
He
added: “We cannot commit that there is any arrangement now.” Mr Ebitu
further said if a decision is made to bring back the stranded Ugandans,
it has to be the responsibility of the registered recruitment companies.
“The
formal legal pathway of people going to the Middle East is through
registered companies. Note that those companies have an obligation of
ensuring the safety of workers and if there is need to bring them
(workers) back, it still remains their responsibly,” Mr Ebitu added.
A
statement from the Ugandan Embassy in UAE indicates that Ugandan
government and UAE are in consultations to find ways of assisting
stranded Ugandans.
Association of Ugandans in UAE (AUU) also said those stranded in
UAE have asked government to grant Fly Dubai a landing permit for them
to return home.
Mr Yusuf Kimera, the general secretary
of AUU, said those stranded were laid off from work while others had
come to visit or look for jobs.
“Fly Dubai had conceded
to repatriate Ugandans stranded in the UAE home provided that the
Ugandan Embassy obtains a landing permit for them. Also the evacuees
have to meet the ticket fare agreed upon,” Mr Kimera said. “We therefore
request government to help our Ugandans through granting the landing
permit for the airline,” Mr Kimera added.
According to
AUU, all Ugandans seeking to return home are willing to go under
mandatory institutional quarantine and precautionary measures.
natukunda@ug.nationmedia.com
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