The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeje Odong, has promised to investigate reports that some 100 Ugandan students were hoodwinked into paying for scholarships in Iran, only to get stranded after finding out that the said courses were nonexistent, prompting some of the students to resort into prostitution.
This followed a concern raised by Gaffa Mbwatekamwa (Igara West), who claimed that the NRM Chairperson of Kyambogo published an advert requesting all Ugandans who want to go to Iran for scholarships in various courses, and people responded by paying each US$800 per to go to Iran, only to realize upon arrival in Iran that they had entered the Arab nation to study ghost courses.
“Over 200 students applied, and they paid US$800 each. Over 100 students were taken to Iran under the disguise that they were going to get scholarships, and when they reached there, they found that some of the courses they were told weren’t there. As we speak, some ladies are selling their bodies on the streets of Iran,” said Mbwa.
Minister Odong in his response cast doubts on Ugandans being involved in prostitution but promised to investigate the matter and update Parliament, saying, “He has touched on something that I find a little bit difficult to believe. Prostitution in Iran, but not be; I will after this session go back to the office, track down all this communication, and possibly tomorrow I can be able to make a substantive statement about the status of those students in Iran.”
Abed Bwanika (Kimaanya Kabonero Division) confirmed the allegations of Ugandans being hoodwinked, saying one of his relatives, Peter Ssentongo, a resident of Kira Municipality, was a victim of the said scheme.
“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 Nkunyingi (Kyadondo East) 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.
“Our diplomatic representation with Iran is also still lacking; a while ago, the substantive ambassador passed away, and to date, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hasn’t sent in a replacement, meaning that the Ugandans who are there and whatever challenge they are facing, no one is there to address it diplomatically,” noted Muwada.
Minister Jeje admitted that Kisambira’s position remains vacant but informed Parliament that Iran isn’t the only station without an ambassador, noting, “It is true, our substantive ambassador in Iran passed on. That isn’t the only station where we have such a unique situation; we do have a similar situation in Kenya and one or two stations. But what I can assure you is that this is a matter we are discussing with the Chief Diplomat, President Museveni, and we will be able to address it very soon.”
