Trending 
Uganda has begun evacuating its citizens from South Africa, with 273 nationals returning home on Friday under a government-led repatriation programme prompted by escalating anti-illegal immigration protests and xenophobic violence.
The first group of evacuees arrived at Entebbe International Airport aboard a Uganda Airlines charter flight in the early hours of Friday.
They were received by Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Haruna Kasolo and Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru, who accompanied them on the flight.
Kasolo commended Uganda’s diplomatic mission in South Africa and the government agencies involved in coordinating the evacuation, describing the operation as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
The government said the evacuation exercise is continuing, with additional charter flights planned in the coming days for Ugandans who have registered for voluntary repatriation.
The operation was authorised by President Yoweri Museveni, who directed that all costs associated with the exercise be covered by the government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is leading the programme 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.
Officials said more than 800 Ugandans have so far enrolled for the programme, although earlier projections suggested the number of people seeking evacuation could reach about 1,200.
Several of the returnees said worsening insecurity and uncertainty forced them to abandon their lives in South Africa.
Harriet Namukwaya told AFP she remained hopeful after learning that the Ugandan government had arranged a charter flight to bring stranded citizens home. Another evacuee, Paddy Ddumba, said leaving South Africa meant abandoning his business, property and family, describing the decision as heartbreaking but necessary.
High Commissioner Paul Amoru said additional groups of Ugandans had already begun boarding subsequent flights and would continue arriving in Uganda over the coming days.
The repatriation exercise follows a surge in anti-illegal immigration demonstrations across parts of South Africa, where protesters have demanded stricter immigration enforcement and the removal of undocumented migrants.
The unrest has heightened concerns among foreign nationals, prompting several African governments to organise voluntary return programmes for their citizens.
Uganda joins countries such as Ghana and Nigeria in facilitating the return of nationals wishing to leave South Africa.
South African authorities say more than 25,000 foreign nationals have departed the country since the latest wave of anti-migrant protests intensified.
Ugandan officials added that many evacuees lacked valid travel documents or had expired passports, requiring emergency travel certificates to enable their return. The government said the repatriation programme will continue until all Ugandans who wish to leave South Africa have been safely brought home.
