Government efforts to repatriate Ugandans stranded in Thailand are being hampered by lack of bilateral agreements between the two countries.
The Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Esther Anyakun made the revelation during the plenary sitting on Tuesday, 07 July 2026 chaired by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa.
Anyakun, who previously served as the Minister of State for Employment and Industrial Relations said that the government has embarked on repatriating Ugandans from Thailand, with support of the Ministry of Interior of Thailand and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
"Ugandans go through Kenya and then end up being trafficked in those other countries. But according to the records before I left the ministry, we have been working out a way with IOM and Thailand to bring back all the boys and the girls, apart from a few whom we cannot locate," Anyakun said.
Her remarks followed concerns raised by Soroti City Woman Representative, Hon. Joan Alobo who said that three Ugandans travelled to Thailand through a labour recruitment agency but later lost contact with their family members.
Alobo noted that family members of Amon Kisaakye, David Musajja and Samuel Kusiima had reported their imprisonment in Thailand to the Criminal Investigations Unit.
"I want to ask the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to explain the measures the government has taken regarding this issue," she added.
In a related development, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi urged government to expedite the return of Ugandans inform South Africa, following anti-immigrant protests in the country.
He noted that despite a number of Ugandans being repatriated, there are many more still stuck in the country.
"How are we going to deal with the diplomatic relations between us and South Africa? I have seen some government officials there including some ministers who openly said that foreigners must not be in their country. Can government talk to us on this issue," Ssenyonyi said.
Government has voluntarily repatriated 730 citizens from South Africa, who returned across four flights to Entebbe International Airport, before being transferred to the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi (NALI) for rehabilitation.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa said the Minister for Foreign Affairs will present a statement to the House on the matter.
During the just concluded induction of Members of Parliament at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja told MPs that government is coordinating the repatriation of over 700 Ugandans stranded in South Africa following the xenophobic attacks.
Government has so far repatriated 730 citizens from South. The voluntary repatriation programme was ordered by President Yoweri Museveni and coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with many more registered for evacuation.
