The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Reverend Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, has condemned the continued departure of Ugandan youth to the Middle East for jobs.

Kaziimba, who was delivering his 2025 New Year’s Sermon during a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Namirembe on January 1, 2025, tasked the government to ensure the creation of jobs for Ugandans to solve the harrowing tales of gross abuse meted out on migrant workers and the violation of their labor rights.

“Addressing local unemployment and providing adequate support can help deter youth from seeking work in potentially exploitative environments overseas, ”Mugalu said.

He appealed to the government to devise means of solving the unemployment situation in the country and also devised a system of tracing Ugandans being mistreated in the Middle East.

The archbishop also preached against greed and theft of church land, saying Ugandans should make resolutions to keep only that which belongs to them and avoid land grabbing.

He expressed deep concern about this issue, highlighting the risks and challenges faced by these young individuals in search of better job opportunities abroad.

He believes that his remarks reflect a broader concern about the welfare of Ugandan youth and the need for sustainable economic development in the country to retain its talent and workforce.

The Archbishop’s statement follows several viral videos on social media of Ugandan girls in the Middle East crying for help following violations and abuse by their employers, including sexual and physical abuse.