How Alex Masaba Built Masaba and Sons Into a Multi-Million Gulf Labour Export Business in Uganda

Are you a Business Owner, Corporate Leader, or someone with a story others need to hear? We would love to feature you on our show! Contact us today via WhatsApp at +1 469 278 1138 or call +256 704 233 306. In this episode of CEO Insights Uganda, we talk to Alex Masaba, CEO of Masaba and Sons Uganda Ltd, one of Uganda’s leading Agents in the Middle East Labour Export industry. In this hard-hitting conversation, Alex reveals the truth behind Gulf jobs—what really happens when Ugandans leave for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and other Middle East countries in search of a better life. From recruitment processes to the realities on the ground, nothing is off the table. If you're a young Ugandan planning to work abroad, a parent worried about your child’s safety, a government official shaping labor policy, or a licensed recruitment agency navigating this controversial industry, this episode is for you. Alex breaks down the myths, exposes the challenges, and lays out the opportunities—while calling for more transparency and protection for our migrant workers. We talk about the recruitment loopholes, how to spot fake job promises, and the kind of due diligence every family must do. You'll also hear success stories—proof that when done right, foreign employment can be life-changing. But at what cost, and for how many? This episode is more than a conversation. It’s a wake-up call. You can contact Alex via +256784051646. *Episode Chapters* 00:00 Intro 03:49 Realistic salary expectations from Gulf jobs 06:53 Why Gulf countries are interested in Ugandan labor 11:05 On Ugandans suffering in Biyumba in the Middle East 14:50 On incidences of Ugandans dying in Biyumba 18:51 On whether the Ugandans who go are aware of the conditions waiting for them 24:00 On the number of Ugandans going to work in the Gulf countries 35:48 Why he is into labour export 51:53 On the unscrupulous nature of some labour companies 58:48 Diseases that limit travel to the Gulf 1:01:00 Best countries to go to in the Gulf 1:04:35 The process and steps to travel to the Gulf countries 1:20:00 On the prevalence of fake work contracts 1:22:09 On the perception of lawlessness in the sector 1:24:43 Success stories vs failure stories 1:43:50 Challenges in selecting the right candidates to go to the Gulf countries 2:04:20 His success out of going to work in the Gulf countries 2:08:10 Government of Uganda support available for people facing challenges in the Gulf countries 2:09:45 Future plans 2:10:50 Number of Ugandans he has helped to go to Gulf countries so far *Enjoyed the show? Leave us a quick Google Review by clicking this link: https://g.page/r/CafSlD2tp1QZEAI/review. It helps us grow and reach more inspiring leaders.* CEO Insights Uganda with Herbert Rwabugahya is Uganda's number one business podcast. As the most watched and fastest growing Ugandan podcast, it continues to dominate the charts across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every major streaming platform. Consistently ranked as the best podcast in Uganda, CEO Insights Uganda brings the country’s vibrant business and leadership landscape to life through powerful storytelling, raw success stories, and real-life insights that inspire action. At its core, CEO Insights Uganda is not just a podcast—it is the voice of Uganda’s transformation. Each week, host Herbert Rwabugahya engages in compelling, unfiltered conversations with Uganda’s most influential CEOs, startup founders, policymakers, investors, creatives, and visionaries. These are not scripted interviews; they are immersive dialogues that peel back the curtain on the innovations, failures, comebacks, leadership decisions, and strategic pivots that are shaping Uganda’s future. From Kampala to Gulu, from the diaspora to the boardroom, CEO Insights Uganda stands unmatched as Uganda’s number one business podcast for meaningful, relevant, and motivational content. Whether you’re searching for a “Uganda podcast,” “top Ugandan podcast on YouTube,” “Kampala business podcasts,” “East African entrepreneurship podcast,” or “CEO interviews Uganda,” this is the show that consistently delivers. If you’ve ever looked up content like the Lynn Ngugi Show, The Diary of a CEO podcast, The Ugandan Boy Talk Show, or wanted to know how to start a business in Uganda, you’ve now found your ultimate destination. CEO Insights Uganda is where Uganda’s best ideas meet Uganda’s brightest minds, creating a platform that educates, challenges, and empowers its listeners in every episode. Our topics span across the most pressing and exciting sectors today—technology and innovation, public health leadership, political transformation, real estate investing in Uganda, agribusiness, youth entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, finance and banking, investment opportunities in Uganda, and beyond.