Uganda has successfully concluded the first stage of its voluntary evacuation programme, bringing home 1,102 citizens from South Africa after a wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant demonstrations.
The operation wrapped up on Thursday when the sixth and final chartered flight touched down at Entebbe International Airport. The aircraft carried 219 Ugandans from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, completing the initial phase of the government’s repatriation mission.
Announcing the development on X, the Ugandan Embassy in South Africa described the exercise as a success, confirming that a total of 1,102 nationals had been safely returned through six coordinated evacuation flights organised by the governments of Uganda and South Africa.
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation was carried out in partnership with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to ensure the secure return of citizens affected by the unrest.
The repatriation effort also received support from Uganda Airlines and other stakeholders after President Yoweri Museveni directed authorities to assist Ugandans impacted by the violence and growing insecurity in South Africa.
Officials further disclosed that the returnees will participate in a rehabilitation and skills development programme at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute in central Uganda. The initiative is designed to equip them with practical skills and prepare them for a smooth reintegration into their communities.