By Maureen Nakigozi

A total of 178 Ugandans have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates, detained, fined, imprisoned and deported in the past three years. Most of the Ugandans are guilty of prostitution, impersonation and possession of alcohol in addition to illegal entry.

Emma aged 32, is a mass communication graduate. After completing his studies three years ago, he went onto streets in search of a job in vain. Emma decided to try his luck in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“I had two brothers working there (UAE) and I paid them a visit,” he recalls.”Life there was better than that in Uganda and I vowed to stay in UAE.”

However Emma’s dream did not last. He was arrested for possessing alcohol and staying illegally in UAE. Emma was prosecuted and imprisoned for three months before being deported to Uganda.

Emma is just one of the many Ugandans who have left for UAE with big dreams but ended up being deported for participating in illegal activities.

Statistics from the Uganda Embassy in the United Arab Emirates show that 178 Ugandans have been arrested, detained, fined, imprisoned and deported during the past three years.

Most of them are found guilty of breach of public morality (prosecution), illegal entry, stay and work; falsification of documents and theft, driving under the influence of alcohol and without a driving licence as well as impersonation and possession of alcoholic drinks for sale.

Out of the 178 deportees, 18 were of breach of public morality, 110 cases were of illegal entry and stay in UAE while the rest were of possession of alcoholic drinks for sale, drunk driving and impersonation.

Fred Tushabe, a consular at the Uganda embassy in UAE, said that the embassy visits lawful detainees and helps them get travel documents to bring them back home.

“It is against such a background or circumstances that the embassy will issue a one way Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC),” he said. “The document is then issued and the holder is allowed to travel back to Ugandan, where he is expected to hand over the document at the port of arrival.” he added.

Tushabe said the document is issued after the consular officer has obtained confirmation from the passport control officer in Kampala that the information provided  about the application for such a document is true and correct.

A report submitted to the Parliamentary committee on foreign affairs by the Ugandan ambassador to UAE, Ssemakula Kiwanuka, shows that there are about 3,000 Ugandans living in UAE.

A List of Deportees from United Arab Emirates (Dubai)

Phinar Nanfuka

Cecilia Kilama

Mariam Namubiru

Beinomigisha Peace

Nakyanzi Agnes

Rwakahanda Justus

Nalukwago Susan

Namubiru Afuwa

Namukasa Catherine

Sarak Naigaga

Nalwanga Cissy

Byasse Paul

Mugerwa Haroon

Nalubega Hawa

Kwagala Prossy

Eva Musiimire

Amina Nakya

Twaha Makumbi

Nicholas Kakama

Kalemba Joseph

Kyokusiima Agnes

Kurden Mawejje

Ndagire Hamida

Nasozi Lydia

Kassim Mutebi

Mamugyeni Patricia

Mulindwa Dauda

Mugisha Eliab Dues

Nalubega Sauda

Birabwa Lidya

Nalubowa Aida

Mukama Sarah

Kasozi Edith

Assimwe Jackline

Ssekibunga Samuel

Nakanyike Mary

Kashugera Oimuke Charles

Najja Margret

Namugambe Shamim

Ssekinalya Joseph

Komugabo Maureen

Kusemererwa Mauda

Mbabazi Birungi Anne

Kyakuwa Olivia

Nakawesi Jessica

Katende Sulaiman

Mirembe Nourine

Besigye Philip

Kabugo Micheal

Nasoro Mary

Abdulhamid Elijabry Abdul Qader

Matovu Johnson

Mayanja Kasozi Bashir

Tamale Jimmy

Nakafeero Claire

Nanyonga Zulaika

Kyokusima Agnes

Nassuna Keti

Mubiru Badru

Katongole Muhumuza

Kayonjo Billy

Ssenyonga Karim

Amanya Daniel

Kweri Richard

Bamuntungire William

Mwanje Ssenjoya Najib

Sebalu Kasirye

Kamugisha Fatuma

Kayanja Shakira

Nakalema Khadija

Kimera Frank  among others