Uganda Evacuates 1,102 Citizens From South Africa After Xenophobic Violence
Credit: Ugandan Evacuees
Uganda has completed the first phase of its voluntary repatriation programme, successfully evacuating 1,102 citizens from South Africa following xenophobic violence and anti-migrant protests.
The final chartered flight, carrying 219 evacuees from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, landed safely at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday, bringing the evacuation exercise to a close.
In a statement posted on X, the Ugandan Embassy in South Africa described the operation as a success.
“The arrival marks the successful conclusion of phase one of the Government of Uganda’s voluntary repatriation exercise,” the embassy said.
According to the embassy, the 1,102 Ugandan nationals returned home aboard six evacuation flights coordinated by the governments of Uganda and South Africa.
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to ensure the safe return of citizens affected by the unrest.
Uganda Airlines and other partners supported the evacuation following a directive by President Yoweri Museveni to protect Ugandans caught up in the violence.
The government said the returnees would undergo a reintegration programme at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute, where they would receive training and support to ease their return to civilian life.
Source: Xinhua/NAN
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