Published on 31/01/2025
Ugandan workers have written an urgent open letter to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, seeking his intervention in an ongoing labour dispute with the J4:14 Foundation, a Texas-based organization operating in Uganda.
The workers allege that the foundation, led by U.S. citizen Justin Daniel Smith, has engaged in exploitative practices, including underpayment, fraudulent activities and unfair arrests, prompting calls for justice and accountability.
The letter points out concerns that, despite contractual obligations extending until 2026, Mr. Smith attempted to sell the organization without addressing the workers’ welfare. When questioned, the workers claim that Mr. Smith used his financial influence to orchestrate their arrest in Uganda, accompanied by statements suggesting the United States’ support for his actions, undermining the principles of fairness and justice.
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Additionally, the workers accuse the J4:14 Foundation and its associates of exploiting Ugandan communities under the guise of charitable work. They point to questionable financial dealings, including charging fees for rehabilitated water sources and accumulating over 1.6 billion UGX in unpaid worker benefits. Attempts to seek redress have allegedly been met with bribery and intimidation tactics to silence those advocating for their rights.
In their appeal, the Ugandan workers request a thorough investigation into the foundation’s activities in both the U.S. and Uganda, protection of their labour rights, and the enforcement of unpaid salaries and benefits. They express hope that President Trump’s leadership will ensure accountability and justice for the exploited workers.
Read Full Details From Open Letter Below
”OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
Date: 2nd Jan 2025.
From: *Concerned Ugandan Workers*
To: *His Excellency Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America*
Subject: *Urgent Appeal for Justice for Ugandan Workers Under J4:14 Foundation and Associated Organizations*
Your Excellency,
We extend our heartfelt congratulations upon your swearing-in as President of the United States of America. As Ugandans, we recognize and appreciate your dedication to socio-economic transformation across the world, including in Africa. Your leadership has brought hope to many, and we believe you stand for justice and fairness.
However, we write to you with a pressing concern regarding the operations of J4:14 Foundation, an international organization based in Texas, USA, under the leadership of your citizen, Mr. Justin Daniel Smith. Since 2015, we have been working under this organization, committed to its mission in Uganda. Unfortunately, last year, Mr. Smith attempted to sell the organization while in the USA without considering our welfare, despite our valid operational contracts running until 2026.
When we questioned this, he travelled to Uganda and, using his financial influence, orchestrated our arrest. During this ordeal, he made statements implying that the USA is preparing to “colonize” us, claiming that he has unchecked power due to his protection by the United States. Such statements undermine the principles of fairness and justice that the USA upholds.
Furthermore, under the guise of charitable work, Mr. Smith and his organization have been involved in questionable financial dealings. While they claim to rehabilitate water sources, Ugandan households are required to pay 4,500 UGX per month to use these water sources moreover they are for government. Additionally, he has been working alongside a colleague, Mr. Robie, under another entity, which exploits Ugandan workers through underpayment and excessive workloads while raising funds in the USA and while in Uganda they are in pretence of charitable service.
It has come to the attention of the Ugandan government that Mr. Smith and his associates forged signatures of officials within the NGO Forum and have accumulated arrears exceeding 1.6 billion UGX in unpaid worker benefits. Instead of addressing these issues transparently, they have resorted to bribery and intimidation tactics to silence those seeking justice. His colleague is a witness in one of the cases and he clearly said that Ugandans are poor people who can do anything for money and he will bribe everyone to win the case.
We have secured the services of judge Hillary March to also try our case in the USA and we seek for your intervention for fairness because previously every evil of an American has been protected by the state and people have been untouchable.
Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal to you to intervene and ensure that justice is served. We request the following actions:
1. A thorough investigation into the activities of J4:14 Foundation and its financial dealings, both in the USA and Uganda.
2. Protection of Ugandan workers’ rights and enforcement of their contractual obligations, including unpaid salaries and benefits.
3. Accountability for unethical practices by foreign organizations operating under the pretence of charity but exploiting local communities in Africa.
4. We seek for our payments Because we worked for it, since December we have never received our salaries up to now.
5. Mr JD Smith, Robbie be investigated on the illegal dealings they do in the USA.
Your leadership has always emphasized fairness, justice, and accountability. We trust that under your guidance, these injustices can be addressed, and Ugandan workers can receive the justice they deserve.
We remain hopeful for your intervention and look forward to your support in ensuring that such exploitative practices are brought to an end and poor Ugandans as they seek for Justice also help us and freeze their businesses in case don’t comply to our pleas with the evidence we have.
Sincerely,
*Workers of J4:14 foundation.*”
