Kampala — THE number of Ugandans seeking jobs in Iraq continues to soar despite the prospect of working under extremely high temperatures in a country ravaged by insurgency.

The latest group cleared by the recruitment firm, Askar Security numbers 1,688. The first batch will leave on a chartered flight to the Iraqi capital Baghdad on August 15 to replace 450 Ugandans who will return home after their six-months stint there.

Yesterday Daily Monitor visited their camp on Entebbe Road. Green and blue folders, with the details of each person, were being handed over to the recruits most of them in their 20s and early 30s. The jobseekers, the agency says will be deployed to offer perimeter security to four US bases in Iraq.

"They will be handling weapons and deployed at check points, observatory towers and entry points to US camps called Arlington, Striker and the EODT headquarters," said Mr Sisto Andama who coordinates external deployment for the company.

EOD technology is the American company which contracts Askar to provide guard services to Iraq. The official in charge of the vetting facility, one Luke Ibudiire told Daily Monitor most of the recruits were O'level leavers.

"The ladies are relatively few compared to the men with a ratio of three to ten. We have many graduates, more diploma holders and A'level leavers too," he said.

Exporting Ugandan labour, which is done by license from the Ministry of Labour, has attracted controversy.

There have been claims in the media of bogus agencies conning unsuspecting people of money promising them job placements in Iraq.

Sources in the industry say one firm run by a minister's wife who was declared a prohibited immigrant by the US is operating without a license from the Ministry.

Past controversies have sucked in former Presidential Advisor Naava Nabagesera who lost her position at State House after allegations that she was involved in lining up 'ghost' jobs abroad. The army and police are concerned that their personnel were deserting their posts for riskier but better paying jobs in Iraq.

Askar sources say the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and other security agencies have access to the recruitment process to seek deserters.