Over 40 Ugandan workers die overseas in five months.
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.
“The numbers continue to rise, yet many cases remain poorly investigated and inadequately documented,” Olooka told Uganda Radio Network on Monday.
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.
Their deaths mirror numerous other cases reported over the years. One such case is that of Hillary Niwetuliko, who travelled to Dubai hoping to secure a better future for his family. According to relatives, he reportedly collapsed while returning from work to his accommodation and was rushed to Rashid Hospital, where he died on February 27.
Months later, his remains were repatriated to Uganda, but the family disputed the official explanation cited only as “natural causes.” His widow, who requested anonymity said: “That explanation left us with more questions than answers, we never got a clear account of what happened.”
Her frustration reflects the experiences of many Ugandan families whose loved ones die while working abroad, only to receive unclear information about the cause of their deaths.
Prince Hassan, a specialist in labour externalisation programmes, says while labour migration has become a lifeline for thousands of unemployed and underemployed Ugandans, untreated medical conditions remain one of the leading causes of death among migrant workers.
“Many workers suffer from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes complications and kidney disease,” Hassan explains. “These conditions are often worsened by delayed access to healthcare, restrictive employment conditions and inadequate medical insurance.”
Workplace accidents also continue to claim lives. Construction workers frequently face dangers associated with falls from heights, heavy machinery, electrocution and road traffic crashes. Domestic workers, meanwhile, often operate in private homes where labour inspections and oversight are limited.
By Skynewsug.com
