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Government’s efforts, led by Prime Minister Nabbanja, to secure the release and repatriation of Ugandans held hostage by rebel groups in Myanmar, Egypt, India.

The government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is diligently working to ensure the release and repatriation of Ugandan citizens detained by rebel factions in Myanmar, as conveyed by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.

Prime Minister Nabbanja emphasized that several East African nations have citizens stranded in Myanmar, and concerted efforts are underway to rescue them, with four Ugandans already freed.

“Most of the individuals targeted by these groups are young people, particularly those with specialized skills such as IT graduates. However, the IOM has assured us of their commitment to engaging with the Government of Myanmar to facilitate the safe return of our youth,” stated Nabbanja.

These statements were made in response to a briefing on the situation provided by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, during the plenary session on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

The Prime Minister also urged leaders nationwide to raise awareness among Ugandans to avoid falling prey to deceptive job offers.

According to Minister Mulimba’s report, 30 individuals are known to be held captive in two separate rebel camps in Myanmar, having initially responded to fraudulent job advertisements on fictitious websites promising lucrative opportunities.

“In response to social media reports, the Prime Minister has instructed the Police to conduct investigations to identify and prosecute the perpetrators,” Mulimba added.

Furthermore, Mulimba disclosed that, following the Prime Minister’s directive to Uganda’s Ambassador in Malaysia to engage with Myanmar authorities, the Ambassador sought financial support amounting to shs102 million for travel expenses to facilitate bilateral discussions, which was not provided.

During the recent 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Mulimba held bilateral discussions with H.E. Than Swe, the Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar.

Mulimba informed the House during the plenary session that the Myanmar Foreign Minister pledged to waive any fines and legal charges against the detained Ugandans and agreed to establish cooperative frameworks between the two countries to combat immigration violations and human trafficking.

Additionally, Mulimba reported that approximately 60 Ugandans are stranded in Egypt due to tightened regulations on residency, and another 200 are in India, with most being female victims of human trafficking.

Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, reiterated concerns about Ugandans held in various rebel compounds in Myanmar, estimating the total number to be around 450, emphasizing the urgency for their rescue.

He proposed the establishment of an ad hoc committee by Parliament to address the situation promptly, emphasizing the critical nature of the issue.

The Opposition Leader, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the bilateral meeting held with the Myanmar Foreign Minister on January 16, 2024, stressing the importance of swift action given the perilous circumstances faced by the detained individuals.

Mulimba’s statement also underscored the need for Parliamentary allocation of funds in the proposed 2024/2025 fiscal year budget to support consular services for Ugandan citizens abroad, particularly those in Myanmar, Egypt, India, and other affected regions, highlighting the necessity of financial resources for their evacuation and protection.