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By Staff Reporter
Published: February 8, 2026
KAMPALA, Uganda – The family of a Ugandan man who lost his life this month amid Ukrainian strikes in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is in deep anguish, desperately appealing to authorities for assistance in bringing his remains back home. Edson, a father of two from Gunda Village in Nansana Municipality, had left the country just weeks earlier in search of better opportunities, only for his dream to turn into a tragic nightmare.
Edson departed Uganda on January 8, 2026, believing he had secured a security job abroad that would provide a brighter future for his young family. However, according to his widow, Caroline Mukiza, the reality was far different from what he had been promised. In his last cryptic message to her in late January, Edson expressed growing concern about his situation.
“Things are tough. Things are different from what we originally thought,” he reportedly told Mukiza, hinting at the dire circumstances he found himself in. The family had no inkling that the job involved any connection to the conflict in Eastern Europe until the devastating news of his death arrived.
Heartbroken and determined to give Edson a proper burial, Mukiza, along with other relatives, petitioned the Russian Embassy in Uganda on January 27, hoping for intervention in the repatriation process. They also reached out to Uganda’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of International Relations, Henry Okello Oryem. While the minister acknowledged the tragedy and expressed sympathy, he informed the family that the government was unable to intervene directly in the matter.
“The responsibility lies elsewhere,” as stated stated, compounding the family’s frustration as they navigate the complex and painful process of repatriating Edson’s body from a war zone.The incident highlights the risks faced by Ugandans seeking employment abroad, often through unregulated channels that can lead to unforeseen dangers. Edson’s story has left his loved ones grappling with grief and unanswered questions: What exactly was the job he was promised? How did he end up entangled in the Russia-Ukraine conflict? And why has the path to bringing him home proven so challenging?
As the family continues their appeal, they remain hopeful for support from any quarter that can help reunite them with Edson’s remains. “We are heartbroken, but we need help to bring him home,” Mukiza said, encapsulating the profound sorrow and urgency of their plight.
This case underscores broader concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable job seekers from developing nations, drawn into global conflicts under false pretenses. Authorities in Uganda have yet to comment further on potential measures to protect citizens from such deceptive recruitment practices.
