Ugandans working in Qatar have made several proposals to the home government all aimed at promoting trade between the two countries.
Saul Rayan Aliguma, the chairman of the Ugandan Community in Qatar (UGACOQ), said the proposals were presented to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, during a meeting held in Doha on April 2.
The meeting was held at the Ugandan Embassy and was chaired by Ambassador Stephen Chebrot Chemoiko.
Minister Amongi had on behalf of Uganda just finished signing a Bilateral Labour Agreement with Qatar to ensure Ugandan migrant workers are safe and their rights protected.
In a bid to enhance trade and business between the two countries, UGACOQ “proposed various business ventures such as establishing a Business Hub, Hypermarket, and Supermarket.”
“ These ventures aim to facilitate the exchange of products, agricultural goods, and business ventures, fostering economic ties and mutual growth,” UGACOQ said in minutes shared with the Diaspora Unit of State House.
“We are proposing a Community Home to host Ugandan citizens for cultural exchange and crisis support. The project aims to provide educational support, build lasting relationships, act as an information hub, and provide crisis support services,” the community added.
To address the challenges in passport renewal and issuance, UGACOQ proposed establishment of a Qatar-based printing centre and leveraging the Ugandan Embassy in the UAE.
“Proposed solutions aim to reduce extended processing times and intricate newborn passport procedures, enhancing consular services and accessibility of National IDs.”
UGACOQ also requested for legal representation to address legal needs and challenges faced by Ugandan nationals. “The initiative focuses on promoting justice, empowerment, and safeguarding the rights of the Ugandan community in various legal matters.”
Like other Ugandan Diaspora associations, UGACOQ requested to be recognized by the government so that they can benefit from public programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).
In her response, Minister Amongi expressed gratitude for the constructive dialogue and assured attendees that their concerns would be compiled into a comprehensive report for the President of Uganda.
She underscored the importance of formalizing recruitment processes to combat human trafficking and pledged to ensure the attestation of employment contracts by the Ministry of Labour before Ugandans travel to Qatar.
The Minister also promised to deploy legal representatives (labour attaches) and explore opportunities for skilled Ugandans to apply for legitimate jobs in Qatar through official channels.
Aggrey David Kibenge, the Permanent Secretary at the gender ministry, expressed gratitude for the bilateral agreement signing, emphasizing the need to address past shortcomings and establish mechanisms for its execution. He highlighted the commitment to working with licensed companies in Uganda for recruitment and employment in Qatar.
It is estimated that there are more than 25,000 Ugandans living in Qatar.
