The body of 27-year-old Teddy Namata arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday, marking a grim end to her journey as a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia. Namata, who left Uganda in late 2023 for a domestic work contract, returned in a coffin under circumstances her family describes as shrouded in secrecy. Her death has reignited scrutiny of Uganda’s labour export industry, which sends thousands of citizens-mostly young women-to the Gulf annually.
According to the Uganda Human Rights Commission, dozens of Ugandan workers die abroad each year, many under unexplained conditions. Namata’s family, still awaiting an autopsy report and employer explanation, echoes a growing demand for accountability. “We cannot bury her in peace until we know what ended her life,” a family spokesperson said. The case underscores systemic vulnerabilities under the kafala system, which binds migrant workers to employers, often enabling exploitation.
Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has suspended rogue agencies in the past, but enforcement remains inconsistent. Since 2016, over 200,000 Ugandans have been deployed to the Middle East under the labour externalisation programme, generating critical remittances but at a human cost. Rights groups like the Center for Constitutional Governance argue the government prioritizes economic gains over worker safety.
As Namata’s family prepares for her burial, activists and opposition leaders demand urgent reforms. “We cannot continue trading lives for remittances,” said Joel Ssenyonyi, Leader of the Opposition. The tragedy amplifies calls for binding bilateral agreements, pre-departure training, and legal aid for workers abroad.