The first group of Ugandan nationals evacuated from South Africa has safely returned home, arriving at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday night aboard a special Uganda Airlines charter flight carrying 260 evacuees.
The flight touched down at 9:30 p.m. as part of a government-led emergency repatriation exercise launched in response to recent anti-migrant violence and xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The evacuation follows a directive from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to ensure the safety and welfare of Ugandans affected by the unrest.
The operation is being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, and leaders of the Ugandan community in South Africa.
Uganda Airlines is operating the special charter flights, with all costs fully covered by the Government of Uganda.
The Uganda High Commission in Pretoria continues to support the exercise by registering evacuees, setting up safe assembly centres, and issuing emergency travel documents to facilitate their return.
According to Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru, two additional repatriation flights have been scheduled.
The second flight is expected to depart Pretoria at 3:00 a.m. on Friday and arrive at Entebbe at 8:15 a.m. carrying 35 evacuees, while a third flight will leave at 1:00 p.m. and land at 7:00 p.m. with 114 more Ugandan nationals on board.
The Government of Uganda says it remains in close contact with South African authorities to ensure the continued safety and welfare of Ugandans who remain in the country.
