More Than 270 Ugandans Return Home as South Africa Evacuation Gets Underway

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1049 EAT on Friday 3 July 2026

ENTEBBE — At least 273 Ugandan nationals have safely returned home from South Africa in 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 around 2:00 a.m. on Friday aboard a Uganda Airlines chartered flight. They were received by the Acting Minister of State for 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 a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to protect Ugandans caught up in the 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 reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Ugandan citizens abroad, noting that efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of those wishing to leave South Africa would continue as the situation evolves.

Kasolo assured Ugandans that the evacuation exercise is still underway, with additional charter flights scheduled to repatriate more citizens who have opted for voluntary return from South Africa.

The evacuation follows a directive from President Yoweri Museveni, who ordered the government to fully fund the operation to ensure the safe and dignified return of Ugandans wishing to leave South Africa.

The repatriation exercise is being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership 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 to facilitate their return.

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

The unrest has heightened fears among many foreign residents, prompting several African countries to organise voluntary repatriation programmes for their citizens. Uganda joins Ghana, Nigeria and other African nations in offering assisted return flights to citizens wishing to leave South Africa.

Earlier, Kasolo revealed that many Ugandans seeking evacuation either lacked valid travel documents or were carrying expired passports, forcing Uganda’s High Commission in Pretoria to issue emergency travel certificates to facilitate their return.

While the government initially reported that more than 700 Ugandans had sought assistance, the number of those registering for voluntary repatriation later increased to about 1,200, underscoring the growing demand for government-supported evacuation.

-Observer

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