Police Block Documentary Exposing Injustices In Labor Export
For over seven months, journalists under their umbrella African Institute for Investigative Journalists have been putting together ‘On the Go – The Dark Side of Externalisation”, a documentary showing working conditions of Ugandan youths who travel to United Arab Emirates countries for domestic work.
There has been reports that Ugandans in countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Dubai doing domestic work have been treated to harsh conditions and some died from torture.
In the documentary, some of the Ugandans who had traveled for this particular work had been interviewed, seeking answers on why they chose to go and how they found themselves in the tough situation.
The documentary was meant to be released officially in a ceremony at Mestil Hotel, Nsambya but on Friday morning, police had already rounded up the venue, ordering the hotel not to host the event.
News Anchor, Solomon Sserwanja, the head of the association, revealed that they had all the necessities needed by authorities to hold the event and were surprised by the stoppage.
“Hotel refused us at the last moment even though we had organized a day before. They said they got a communication from the police to stop us and according to the police we had to obtain a letter from the IGP.” Solomon said.
Journalist Raymond Mujuni from AIU speculates that the act might have been influenced by a bigger government figure because journalists involved in the project have been receiving threats.
“We have been receiving threats through messages saying they would arrest or kill us.” He said.
Human Rights activist under the Immigrants Workers Voice Abdallah Kayonde has noted that stopping journalists from showing the inhumane acts in labor export shows that the government is aware of whatever is going on but chooses not to act.
“Many children have come back insane and lame etc. If the government doesn’t prevent labor exporting, these things will keep happening.”
Although they stopped these journalists from releasing the tape, it was uploaded on YouTube at exactly 2PM and has been accessed by thousands of people. The association further reveals that they are to consult with their lawyers to see the case taken to court.
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