By Angel Lubowa
KAMPALA
Until a month ago ugandans seeking Visa’s to United Arab Emirates(UAE) have had difficulties.
The travel companies could pass over Visa applications and the corresponding fees but no viable Visa’s would be issued out.
This writer talked to about nine people who have lost business and or missed travel to UAE after their visa applications were turned down.
‘At first I thought the problem was Dubai and put fresh applications to Abu Dhabi but still didn’t succeed ” said Mr Michael Kitendo.
It was therefore less surprising mid this week when it was announced on sections of the Media that UAE had placed a visa ban to Uganda.
The first reports appeared on a private website known as UAE Visas Online.
It was reported that the visa ban will also affect selected countries like Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Lebanon, Yemen, Bangladesh, Sudan and Cameroon respectively.
But Ugandan and UAE officials were by yesterday yet to confirm this development.
Uganda’s permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire, said that no official communication had been received from Abu Dhabi about any suspension of tourist or work visas.
According to some Media, Bagiire’s remarks were reinforced by UAE ambassador to Uganda, Abdalla Hassan AlShamsi, who said in a phone interview that “what is circulating out there is false,” insisting that no new restrictions had been placed on Ugandan nationals.
But visa application procedures by Ugandans seeking UAE travel have been affected by slowness , denials or suspense for some time alluding to something cynical
The ban is likely to affect Ugandan migrant workers and travellers who feared losing access to one of the country’s top labour and business destinations.
Over 100,000 Ugandans are legally employed in the UAE, primarily in domestic service, retail and hospitality sectors.
Thesebdtatements comes at a time after BBC has just released an investigation alleging a sex-trafficking ring in Dubai involving Ugandan national Charles “Abbey” Mwesigwa.
