Over 270 Ugandans return from South Africa as evacuation begins

At least 273 Ugandan nationals have safely returned home from South Africa, marking the first phase of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme for citizens affected by the recent wave of anti-illegal immigration protests and xenophobic violence.

The returnees arrived at Entebbe International Airport at about 2:00 am on Friday aboard a Uganda Airlines charter flight. They were received by acting minister of Foreign Affairs Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo and Uganda’s ambassador to South Africa, Paul Amoru, who accompanied them on the flight.

Speaking at the airport, Kasolo described the arrival as an important milestone in the government’s efforts to safeguard Ugandans caught up in the recent unrest in South Africa.

“I commend our embassy in South Africa, together with all the government agencies and partners involved, for their dedication, professionalism and coordinated efforts in making this operation possible,” he said.

Kasolo assured Ugandans that the evacuation exercise is ongoing, adding that more charter flights will be dispatched to bring home citizens who have opted for voluntary repatriation.

The evacuation followed a directive by President Yoweri Museveni that all costs associated with the operation be met by the government to ensure the safe return of Ugandans wishing to leave South Africa.

The exercise is being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda’s High Commission in Pretoria and other government agencies.

Government officials said more than 800 Ugandans have so far registered for voluntary repatriation, with additional charter flights expected in the coming days.

The evacuation programme was initiated after anti-illegal immigration protests intensified in parts of South Africa, where demonstrators called for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.

The unrest heightened fears among many foreign residents, prompting several African countries to organise voluntary repatriation programmes for their citizens. Uganda joins Ghana, Nigeria and several other African countries that have offered voluntary repatriation to citizens wishing to leave South Africa.

Earlier, Kasolo said many Ugandans seeking evacuation either lacked valid travel documents or were holding expired passports, requiring Uganda’s mission in South Africa to issue emergency travel certificates before they could return home.

While the government initially indicated that more than 700 Ugandans had sought assistance, the number of those registering for voluntary repatriation later rose to about 1,200.

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