At least 40 Ugandan migrant workers have died in Europe, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and other destinations since January 2026, reigniting concerns about the safety and welfare of thousands of Ugandans seeking employment abroad.
The deaths, documented by Kyeyo Initiative Uganda, a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights and welfare of Ugandan migrant workers, have once again put the spotlight on the risks associated with labour migration.
According to Kenneth Olooka, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of deaths at 11, followed by the UAE with 10.
Six Ugandans reportedly died in the United States, while the remaining fatalities were recorded across other labour destination countries including China and Germany.
The study report moreover does not include deaths in countries where young Ugandan professionals are duped with promises of jobs like assembling drones only to end up as cannon fodder on battlefields in wars they knew nothing about before leaving home.
Among the most recent deaths are those of Josephine Olowo and Sheila Kenyana, who died in Saudi Arabia, and Apollo Kaddu Mukasa, who died in Boston, United States. In all three cases, the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear.
Simon Mulongo, the State Minister for Labour acknowledges the challenges and say reforms are underway noting that the government is working to strengthen worker protection through tighter regulation of recruitment agencies, digital monitoring systems and stronger bilateral labour agreements with destination countries.
By URN
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