Jeje Odong, the minister of foreign affairs, has pledged to look into instances in which over 100 Ugandan students were tricked into paying for scholarships in Iran.
The government committee is investigating allegations made by Muwanga Nkunyingi, the MP for Kyadondo East, that Ugandans are stuck in Iran after learning that the courses they were supposed to be taking were non-existent, forcing some of the students to turn to prostitution.
The NRM Chairperson of Kyambogo, according to Igara West MP Gaffa Mbwatekamwa, published an advertisement asking all Ugandans who wish to travel to Iran for scholarships in various courses.
People responded by paying $800 apiece to travel to Iran, only to discover when they got there that they had entered the Arab country to study ghost courses.
MP Abed Bwanika of Kimaanya Kabonero Division verified the claims of Ugandans being duped, claiming that one of his relatives, Kira Municipality resident Peter Ssentongo, was a victim of the aforementioned ploy.
“One of my relatives is a victim of that scheme; he was taken to Iran to study veterinary medicine. He reached Iran and got stranded; we have just evacuated him; he didn’t even have a passport back. This is a serious matter that needs to be investigated,” said Bwanika.
Muwada asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to normalize diplomatic relations with other countries so that nationals are not mistreated.
Muwada asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite the process of naming a substantive Ambassador to Iran, arguing that following the death of Muhammad Kisambira in August 2023, the position has remained vacant, thus exposing Ugandans living in Iran to living without any diplomatic representation in case they encounter any challenge.
Minister Odong admitted that Kisambira’s position remains vacant, but he informed the house that Iran isn’t the only station without an ambassador.
