Parliament erupted into debate on Tuesday after a BBC documentary exposing the abuse and deaths of Ugandan women in Dubai triggered renewed calls for government action on migrant labour protection.
The documentary, Death in Dubai, reveals the harrowing ordeal of two Ugandan women who died following alleged sexual abuse by Charles Mwesigwa, a Ugandan national accused of trafficking victims in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who raised the matter during plenary, urged government to follow the example of other nations that negotiate minimum pay and employment terms for migrant workers.
“Most governments negotiate terms of employment on behalf of workers such as setting a minimum salary, but for Uganda, workers are left on their own. We need to revisit the plight of migrant workers. Government should take keen interest in the case of the two girls who died till its conclusion,” Tayebwa said.
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Muwada Nkunyingi, called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sign enforceable bilateral labour agreements to safeguard Ugandans working abroad.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs must come out and explain what is delaying signing of agreements where our nationals would be protected. There are so many Ugandans who are trafficked, and all can be improved if government negotiates and signs bilateral agreements that can be enforceable,” Nkunyingi said.
Tororo Woman MP, Sarah Opendi, pressed Parliament to fast-track the Employment (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Sexual Offences Bill, 2024, which she said contain provisions that tackle sexual exploitation and abuse of workers. She also demanded that government prosecute the alleged trafficker.
“The man has been saying he is the embassy, he is the Police — otherwise it is becoming a big issue for people who go abroad to work and then call us for bail out,” Opendi said.
Workers MP, Abdulhu Byakatonda, revealed that he has completed consultations on the proposed Labour Externalisation and Management Bill, 2024, which seeks to regulate and curb illegal labour export practices.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa directed the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development to coordinate with relevant agencies and present a comprehensive report on migrant workers’ issues on Wednesday, 18 September 2025.
