The Ugandan government has launched a rescue plan for Ugandans who are trapped in Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country, by rebel groups. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described the rescue plan as complex since the government of Myanmar is not in control of the state where the Ugandans are being held hostage.
The Ugandans trapped in Myanmar had made an outcry, which led to the government’s intervention through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government is collaborating with the Myanmar government to rescue its citizens.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, has stated that the Ugandans are trapped in a state that is under siege by rebel groups, which makes it more difficult to rescue them. The government is engaging international bodies such as the United Nations to intervene and facilitate the rescue process.
Mulimba explained that the victims were lured by cyber schemes and were promised Malaysia as their destination. He also criticized labor export companies for ignoring travel advisories and caring only about money.
The opposition shadow minister for foreign affairs, Muwada Nkunyingi, stated that there were 450 victims, but the government confirmed only 30.
It’s reported that Ugandans are not the only victims of Myanmar, other East Africans also fall prey to the same scheme. The travelers are lured by the promise of going to Bangkok, Thailand, a popular destination for tourists and business.