The Ugandan government has evacuated 273 of its citizens from South Africa following rising anti-illegal immigration protests and xenophobic violence, with more charter flights scheduled to bring home hundreds of others seeking voluntary repatriation.
The returnees arrived at Entebbe International Airport aboard a special Uganda Airlines charter flight in the early hours of Friday, marking the first phase of the government’s evacuation programme.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Haruna Kasolo and Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru, received the returnees on arrival after accompanying them on the flight.
READ ALSO: Uganda tightens lockdown measures to curb COVID-19 surge
Kasolo commended the Ugandan mission in South Africa and other government agencies for coordinating the operation, describing it as a major effort to safeguard citizens affected by the unrest.
The evacuation followed a directive by President Yoweri Museveni, who ordered the government to fully fund the voluntary repatriation exercise.
The operation 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, and Uganda’s High Commission in South Africa.
Ugandan authorities said more than 800 nationals have registered for the programme, although earlier estimates indicated that about 1,200 citizens had requested assistance.
Additional charter flights have been scheduled to continue the evacuation.
Some of the returnees recounted losing businesses, property and being separated from family members as violence and insecurity worsened in parts of South Africa.
High Commissioner Paul Amoru said more Ugandan nationals were already boarding evacuation flights and would continue arriving in the country in the coming days.
The evacuation programme was launched after anti-illegal immigration protests escalated across parts of South Africa, prompting fears among migrant communities and leading several African countries to organise voluntary repatriation for their citizens.
Uganda joins Ghana and Nigeria in facilitating the return of nationals wishing to leave South Africa.
South African security authorities say more than 25,000 foreign nationals have left the country since the protests intensified. Ugandan officials added that many evacuees required emergency travel certificates after their passports had expired or were unavailable.
The government says the repatriation exercise will continue until all Ugandans who wish to return home have been safely evacuated.
Africanews
