ENTEBBE — Uganda has evacuated 424 of its citizens from South Africa following weeks of anti-migrant violence, bringing home hundreds who fled with little or nothing as attacks against foreign nationals intensified.
The government-coordinated repatriation exercise saw the first batch of 273 returnees—255 adults and 18 children—arrive at Entebbe International Airport aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight. A second group of 116 landed at 7:00 a.m., followed by another 35 at 8:00 a.m.
Receiving the evacuees, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo said the operation demonstrated Uganda’s commitment to protecting its citizens wherever they are in the world.
“The brotherly responsibility of any sovereign government is the safety and security of its citizens, both within our borders and abroad,” Kasolo said.
He explained that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered the immediate mobilization of resources after receiving reports of worsening insecurity and attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
According to Kasolo, more than 700 Ugandans have so far voluntarily registered to return home.
“No matter the distances you travel, or the challenges you face abroad, you must always remember that Uganda is your home, and the government will never abandon you in times of crisis,” he told the returnees.
The minister revealed that three Ugandans lost their lives during the violence, while the remains of two victims are yet to be identified and returned to Uganda.
He urged the returnees to seize economic opportunities available at home.
“You committed no offence in going to South Africa to look for greener pastures, but I must confirm to you that the greener pasture is now here in Uganda,” Kasolo said, encouraging them to benefit from the government’s wealth creation programmes.
Uganda’s Ambassador to South Africa, H.E. Paul Omoru Omiat, hailed the swift intervention by President Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, saying the evacuation came at a critical moment.
“Most Ugandans returned with nothing, some without even a suitcase, because the situation was not friendly,” Omoru said.
He appealed for support to help the returnees rebuild their lives, noting that many had abandoned businesses, homes and personal belongings during the unrest.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Mrs. Lydia Mwesigwa, President of the United Returnees Organisation, thanked the government for rescuing Ugandans caught up in the violence after spending more than three decades living in South Africa.
“What the enemy meant for evil, God has turned around for our good,” she said.
Mwesigwa said the organisation would work with the government to support the returnees through Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) and agricultural livelihood programmes aimed at helping families restart their lives.
Another returnee, Mr. Mawanda Sayid Juma, who had been working as a driver in South Africa since 2023, said many Ugandans were forced to flee empty-handed.
“Many of us left behind property and assets that we had accumulated over several years,” he said, appealing for government assistance to help returnees recover from their losses.
The reception at Entebbe International Airport was attended by Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi, Denis Kalemba, Ambassador Dickson Ogwal, Moses Kibombo Ssentongo, and other Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers.
Government officials said the evacuation exercise remains ongoing, with additional Ugandans who have registered for voluntary repatriation expected to return in subsequent phases.
