High Court Judge Boniface Wamala has awarded Sh250 million to the family of Milly Namutamba, a Ugandan maid who died in Saudi Arabia in 2019. The ruling was made following a lawsuit filed by her daughter, Namale Desire, and her uncle, Muyingo Mutasa Charles, against the recruitment agency Horeb Services Uganda Limited and its director, Ezra Mugisha.
Namale told the court that her mother left Uganda on August 19, 2018, to work as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia. Before her departure, Namutamba was healthy and had passed a medical examination.
During her time in Saudi Arabia, she communicated regularly with Namale until contact suddenly stopped. Concerned for her mother’s safety, Namale visited the recruitment agency several times over two years to find out what had happened, but they did not respond.
It was only in September 2022 that she discovered her mother had died and been buried in an unknown location, making it impossible to repatriate her body to Uganda.
Namale further stated that the recruitment agency had promised compensation for her mother’s death, but the family never received any money.
In his defense, Ezra Mugisha argued that his company was not responsible for Namutamba’s death, claiming they had contracted a Saudi-based agency, Al Manasa Recruitment Agency, to oversee her welfare.
However, Judge Wamala ruled that since Namutamba had no direct connection with the Saudi agency, she could not pursue legal action against them. He emphasized that Horeb Services Uganda Limited was licensed by the Ugandan government and held primary responsibility for Namutamba’s safety and well-being.
The judge noted that the recruitment agency attempted to deflect blame but ultimately remained accountable for their workers.
As a result, the judge awarded Sh200 million in general damages and Sh50 million in exemplary damages to Namale and her family, along with covering their legal costs. The court recognized the emotional pain and mental distress the family endured during their search for Namutamba and upon learning of her death and burial in Saudi Arabia without their knowledge.
