On Friday, 273 Ugandan citizens returned to their home country from South Africa. This group represents the first wave of people repatriated due to the recent surge in xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant unrest. The returnees touched down at Entebbe International Airport after departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on a chartered aircraft.
This emergency evacuation was initiated following an order from President Yoweri Museveni, who emphasized the necessity of protecting Ugandans residing in South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the government acted quickly to address the dangers posed by the hostile climate toward foreign nationals.
The Uganda Media Centre released a statement from Ambassador Paul Amoru, who confirmed that further evacuation efforts are already in progress. Plans were made for a second flight carrying 35 individuals to leave on Friday morning, followed by a third flight anticipated later that day to transport another 114 citizens.
