Government starts rehabilitation of Ugandans repatriated from South Africa

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1130 EAT on Wednesday 2026

The government has begun rehabilitating Ugandan nationals repatriated from South Africa following recent unrest and xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, in which at least three Ugandans were reportedly killed.

The returnees are undergoing psychosocial counselling and reintegration training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi before being reunited with their families.

The rehabilitation programme continued on Monday after a fourth evacuation flight carrying 166 Ugandans from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, arrived at Entebbe International Airport. The group was received by government officials led by Ambassador Dickens Ogwang before being transported to Kyankwanzi.

According to Uganda’s Ambassador to South Africa, Paul Amoru, the latest arrivals bring the total number of Ugandans voluntarily repatriated under the government’s evacuation programme to 730.

A total of 266 Ugandans returned on the first evacuation flight, 32 on the second, 266 on the third and 166 on the fourth.

At the National Leadership Institute (NALI), the returnees are receiving counselling and psychosocial support to help them recover from the emotional and psychological impact of the violence. Many lost businesses, jobs and homes during the unrest, while others were bereaved.

Government officials said the programme is also addressing the economic challenges faced by those who were forced to abandon their livelihoods. They said the rehabilitation process is designed to help returnees regain confidence, recover from trauma and prepare for successful reintegration into their communities.

Leading the counselling sessions, Peter Baguma encouraged the returnees to remain hopeful despite the hardships they had endured.

“Although many of you have lost property and sources of income, you have not lost the opportunity to rebuild your lives,” Baguma said.

He emphasised that professional counselling plays a critical role in helping survivors process trauma, build resilience and reduce the risk of long-term psychological effects.

The returnees were officially welcomed home by Helen Seku, who conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Museveni and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting their successful reintegration.

The rehabilitation programme is also providing specialised support to young adults and children who were born and raised in South Africa. For many, the evacuation marked their first visit to Uganda and their first opportunity to meet relatives in their ancestral homeland.

Officials said this group faces unique reintegration challenges as they adjust to a new social and cultural environment while recovering from the trauma of displacement.

Ambassador Dickens Ogwang said another group of Ugandans is expected to return next week, bringing the total number of repatriated nationals to about 1,000.

Government officials said the recent unrest in South Africa disproportionately affected foreign nationals, many of whom reported hostility linked to employment, business ownership and marriages to South African citizens.

-Observer

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