Ugandan envoy offers help amid rising suicide cases
abu dhabi — Talk to friends and relatives if you are facing difficulties at work or other social and financial problems; but don’t end your lives, the Ugandan Counselor in Abu Dhabi told Ugandan workers in the UAE. He also asked them to seek help from the embassy or police, if needed.
The move followed the shocking figures showing that 45 Ugandans working in the UAE have died in the past nine months. The Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi indicates that out of the 45 registered deaths, 31 were reported to be suicides. The other deaths have been attributed to accidents, cardiac arrest, murder, drowning, and other diseases like meningitis, HIV and liver failure. Their figures also showed that three other suicide deaths were registered in Oman.
According to the figures, 27 of the deaths occurred in Dubai, 14 in Abu Dhabi, two in Sharjah, one in Ras Al Khaimah and one in Ajman. Among those who committed suicide were 13 security guards, 12 housemaids, three drivers, two cleaners and one mechanic.
In a recent incident in August, a Ugandan national committed suicide inside the Noor Bank Metro station in Dubai. His relative said he was facing financial difficulties and had tried to commit suicide earlier. An eyewitness said that when the man was on the escalator of the metro station, he heard a loud thud. “After 10 seconds, I saw an African on the ground, covered in blood,” the eyewitness told Khaleej Times.
Dr Sam Omara, counselor at the Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi said many of the suicide cases result from frustrations that lead to depression. “I believe most of these people decide to end their lives because of frustrations,” Dr Omara told Khaleej Times. “Some of these people are told by recruitment companies that they are coming here to good jobs and with big salaries, and when they get here, they get frustrated when they find things are different.
If you have a social, financial or other workrelated problems, it’s good that you share it with a friend or speak to a relative. don’t just keep it to yourself, as it may lead to depression.” Dr Sam Omara, counselor, ugandan embassy, abu dhabi
“Some people find the working conditions, weather and culture different; some domestic workers, especially housemaids, are being mistreated by employers and this can lead them into making bad decisions, especially when they don’t have anyone to speak to about their problems.
“I urge all Ugandans to come forward to the embassy or call us if you have any problems at work or other issues, so we can help,” said Dr Omara. “If you have a social, financial or work-related problems, it’s good that you share it with a friend or speak to a relative. Don’t just keep it to yourself as it may lead to depression.”
Unmet expectations
The have been reports that some recruitment companies in Uganda were promising workers good jobs with good pay, and when they reached the UAE, the workers are shocked to be given different jobs with small salaries.
Dr Omara urged recruitment companies to be honest to workers before bringing them over to work in the UAE, about the type of work they are going to do, salaries, working conditions, the weather, cultures and traditions.
“Recruitment agents should also ensure that they teach the workers about the UAE laws,” he said.
More than 40,000 Ugandans currently live and work in the UAE. Most of them work in security companies and sales, especially in branded shops and supermarkets, and the hospitality industry.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com