Hon. Muwada Nkunyinji, the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called on all Ugandans living illegally in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to seize the ongoing UAE visa amnesty before it ends on October 31, 2024. The amnesty, which commenced on September 1, 2024, allows Ugandans to leave the UAE without paying overstay fines or legalize their status to remain in the country, provided they possess valid Ugandan passports.
The program covers all types of visas, including expired residency permits and tourist visas. Ugandans with children are also urged to take advantage of this opportunity, as there is no entry ban for those who choose to exit the UAE under the amnesty. This means that those who entered the UAE legally can return in the future without facing penalties.
Hon. Nkunyinji emphasized that Ugandans should act swiftly by visiting the nearest immigration centers in their Emirates to benefit from the amnesty program. He noted that several companies and employers are currently stationed at these centers, offering startup jobs and assisting those with passports in clearing their legal status.
However, Ugandans without passports will need to obtain emergency travel documents from the Ugandan Embassy in the UAE, as the embassy is currently unable to issue new passports. Those seeking new passports will need to return to Kampala to secure one.
“More likely, after the amnesty closes, there will be massive immigration arrests across the UAE,” Hon. Nkunyinji warned, urging all Ugandans to make use of the amnesty before it expires. He further assured that he would continue to follow up on the challenges affecting Ugandans in the UAE and other issues concerning the Ugandan diaspora.
The amnesty program offers a crucial opportunity for Ugandans to regularize their stay or return home without facing penalties. As the deadline approaches, Hon. Nkunyinji’s message serves as a critical reminder for those affected to act promptly.
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