Over 130,000 Ugandan workers to sue U.S contractors over unpaid wages
The Ugandan government has thrown support behind some over 130,000 former Ugandan sub-contractors who are seeking remuneration for their service to the U.S. government.
The Ugandan workers served as security guards in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect U.S. government buildings.
Recruited by private security firms contracted by the U.S. Department of Defense, these guards played a crucial role in securing U.S. facilities after the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan in 2005–2022.
Semafor reports that the private security companies under scrutiny, Explosives Ordnance Disposal Technology (EODT), Special Operations Consulting (SOC), and Constellis allegedly employed the services of these contractors without paying the agreed-upon wages and covering their medical bills.
They are therefore gearing up for legal action against their former employers.
The Special Returnees Association (SRA), representing the over 130,000 Ugandan ex-sub-contractors, is contemplating a collective legal action to secure financial compensation and assistance with medical costs.
Meanwhile, Uganda's government says it will support these workers by potentially escalating the dispute to U.S. courts if diplomatic efforts fall short.
