HEADLINE: Uganda Seeks Release of Maid Charged with Murder in Syria
KAMPALA – The Ugandan government has initiated urgent diplomatic talks to secure the release of a Ugandan national, Vicky Ajok, who is facing murder charges in Syria.
Ajok, a housemaid, is accused of killing her employer, 87-year-old veteran Syrian actress Huda Shaarawi, who was found dead in her Damascus residence last week. Syrian authorities state that Ajok confessed to the crime after interrogation, alleging Shaarawi died from a violent assault with a blunt object. If convicted, Ajok could face the death penalty.
The Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Esther Davinia Anyakun, confirmed the government’s intervention. She stated that efforts were activated after distressing videos and reports concerning Ajok circulated on social media and in the press.
“We are doing everything we can to see how that girl can be rescued. We need to talk to the government of Syria to have this girl come back home,” Minister Anyakun said during a press briefing on the Safe Labour Migration Campaign.
The minister highlighted the diplomatic complexity of the case, noting, “Syria is not among the countries with which Uganda has bilateral agreements, and we also do not have a Syrian embassy here.” Coordination is being handled through Uganda’s Embassy in Cairo, which oversees interests in the region.
Anyakun also pointed to conflicting narratives surrounding the case. “There are so many conflicting stories, some say children in the house are the ones that murdered the victim and pinned it on the maid,” she stated, emphasizing the need for a fair legal process.
The minister used the occasion to issue a stern warning about the dangers of irregular migration to conflict zones like Syria. “Most of the girls who have gone to Syria are more than warriors because this is a war zone. There is fighting and you want to stick your head in a war zone?”
In the same address, she expressed grave concern over reports of Ugandans being deceived into fighting as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, urging citizens to rigorously verify overseas employment agencies with the ministry.
The government affirms that diplomatic engagements will continue to protect Ugandans abroad and combat human trafficking and unsafe labour migration.
About The Author
