KAMPALA - Thousands of Ugandans who guarded U.S. government buildings in war zones are preparing to sue their former employers who they claim failed to pay their agreed wages and cover medical bills, leaving many badly injured and mired in debt.
The workers guarded institutions and military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan in the wake of the U.S. invasion of both nations from 2005 to 2022. They were recruited by private security companies contracted by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
The guards, who were cheaper than American personnel, helped meet the need for increased security at U.S. buildings after they became targets for insurgent attacks following the toppling of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The private security companies included Tennessee headquartered Explosives Ordnance Disposal Technology (EODT), Special Operations Consulting (SOC) and Constellis (formerly Triple Canopy) — both based in Virginia — and Sabre (Torres) International, among others.
Uganda’s government last month gave its backing to former workers seeking restitution after they presented ministers with documents to support their claims, including letters of employment after a campaign by a group of more than 130,000 Ugandan ex-contractors.
The Special Returnees Association (SRA), a Ugandan umbrella organization of former security guards in Iraq and Afghanistan which has more than 130,000 members, told Semafor Africa it may pursue a “mass legal action” on behalf of thousands of its members to secure financial compensation and pay for the medical costs of those injured.
The claims would be against various companies, especially the biggest contractors, EODT, SOC and Constellis in the U.S. courts. The SRA said litigation would be an option if compensation could not be arranged through diplomatic channels involving Uganda government’s security and labor ministries.
EODT, SOC and Constellis did not respond to emails and phone calls from Semafor Africa seeking comment in response to the allegations and the prospect of legal action.
If this dispute goes to the U.S. courts, it won’t be the first time. Tara Coughlin, an American attorney who runs a law firm in the U.S. state of Michigan, has represented Ugandan ex-contractors who were wounded in Iraq between 2005 and 2010. Some of these cases were settled for between $2,500 and $100,000, but other claims were denied in the different U.S. state courts between 2009 and 2016.
Mixed results from these previous cases makes it hard to predict the outcome of any legal process. Both sides will fancy their chances if this goes to court.
But, beyond the intricacies of any future litigation, the experiences of the people struggling with debt and life altering injuries have shone a light on the wider challenges faced by Ugandans — and other Africans — seeking work abroad under uncertain circumstances.
Taking work overseas is challenging and requires a leap of faith. It can lead to painful experiences, as in the case of Ugandan women who have sought domestic work in Saudi Arabia only to be subjected to horrific abuse. Many back at home are completely unaware of such risks. For others, faced with a lack of job options and the promise of well paid work that could benefit them and their relatives, it’s a risk worth taking — even in a war zone.
