KAMPALA —Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known by his stage name Bobi Wine has announced a concert aimed at raising funds to assist Ugandans stranded in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and other gulf countries.
In a tweet dated September 11, 2022, Bobi Wine said as it is well known, hundreds of Ugandans are stranded in these countries with no help. Many of them want to return home but have no funds to facilitate their travels.
“On 8th Oct, 2022 we shall be live in concert at Abu Hail Club Stadium in Dubai, and on 9th Oct, 2022 in Abu Dhabi at Villagio Hotel & Resort,” Bobi Wine said on Twitter.
He also added that proceeds will go to assist stranded sisters and brothers. “Let’s turn up in our usual large numbers and make the cause worthwhile,” Bobi Wine urged fans.
In June 2022, the office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs extended a helping hand to more than 30 Ugandan migrant workers who were stranded in Saudi Arabia to return home.
The development came following a tour to the Gulf region by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs Amb. Abbey Walusimbi aimed at familiarising himself with the dynamics of the living and working conditions of Ugandan migrant workers.
While in Saudi Arabia, Walusimbi alongside the Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Mary Kawuma met and interacted with more than 500 distressed migrant workers, who shared stories behind their plight.
During the tour, issues raised by the girls were related to being forced to work in different family and friends’ houses without their consent, harsh treatment by their female employers, denying them decent meals, working beyond 15 hours, sexual harassment from some male employers and their relatives and delayed or no payment of their salary dues among others.
Coming to the rescue of stranded Ugandans, some natives have pledged to buy tickets in contribution to the cause though they may not be able to make it to the concerts physically.
A one Sylvia Nankabirwa tweeted, “Thank you Mr. President [Bobi Wine]. Can we have ways through which we can buy tickets even when we cannot attend physically? This may include a Bank account for people in the diaspora and a mobile money number for us in Uganda. God bless”.
In unison, Jastus Natumanya one of Bobi Wine’s fans also tweeted: “My sincere thanks to you and your team for coming out to address this crisis and link up means to overcome it. I truly believe that there are many people who are willing to give a hand but may not manage participating in the concert physically, how can they send in their support?”
