Uganda’s Parliament has called for immediate government intervention to address the alarming cases of Ugandan women being trafficked, exploited, and subjected to abuse abroad. The call to action follows a BBC investigative report that exposed a Ugandan recruiter involved in luring young women to the Middle East under false pretenses, leading to their forced involvement in sex work and, in some cases, tragic deaths.
During the parliamentary session on Tuesday, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa expressed deep concern over the continued suffering of Ugandans, particularly young women working abroad, without meaningful intervention. He emphasized the need for urgent government action to protect citizens from such exploitation.
The BBC report revealed that Charles Mwesigwa, a Ugandan national, is at the center of a human trafficking ring that deceives young women with promises of legitimate employment in Dubai. Instead, these women are coerced into sex work, with some reportedly dying under mysterious circumstances and others buried in unmarked graves due to the inability of their families to repatriate their bodies.
Lawmakers across the political spectrum have condemned the government's inaction in dismantling trafficking networks. They accused the authorities of negligence and called for a comprehensive investigation into the operations of recruitment agencies facilitating such exploitation.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development has been urged to enforce existing regulations and to collaborate with international partners to combat human trafficking. Additionally, Parliament has recommended the establishment of a special task force to monitor and regulate labor export companies to prevent further abuses.
The government has yet to respond publicly to Parliament's demands. However, the call for action underscores the urgent need to protect vulnerable Ugandans from exploitation and to hold accountable those responsible for trafficking and abuse.
For more information on human trafficking prevention and support services, individuals are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development or visit the official government website.
