The Government of Saudi Arabia has declined to release Ugandans serving time in prison over capital offenses such as murder.

This has been disclosed by the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Esther Anyakun during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre.

She however said the Saudi Arabian Government agreed to release all Ugandans born in Saudi Arabia who are serving time in jail and those currently detained over other minor offences in accordance with the Saudi Arabian law.

This decision was reached during a meeting held from October 14th-17th 2024 in Riyad, which involved a Ugandan Government delegation led by Minister Anyakun and the Minister of Human Resource and Development for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Ahmed Alrajihi.

She revealed that those to be released, the processes will be done in 50 days through collaboration between the Ugandan Embassy in Saudi Arabia after providing the total number of Ugandans in Saudi prisons and their personal details.

The decline to release Ugandans on capital offences stems from the growing concern from various people who have demanded the Ugandan Government to intervene to save its citizens who have fallen victim to drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is the biggest labour externalization destination for Ugandan migrant workers accounting for over 150,000 workers.

By Olivia Nabaggala

21 Oct 2024

END