Uganda Completes First Phase of South Africa Repatriation, 1,102 Returnees Home

The Ugandan government has successfully completed the first phase of its voluntary repatriation efforts for citizens impacted by xenophobic violence in South Africa. A total of 1,102 Ugandans have been safely brought back from major South African cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.

The final group of 219 returnees arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday evening via a Uganda Airlines chartered flight from Johannesburg. Ambassador Paul Amoru, Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, was on board this final flight and hailed the operation as a significant humanitarian achievement.

Ambassador Amoru stated that the mission was crucial for reuniting families and reaffirming the government’s commitment to its citizens abroad. The evacuation was initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following an escalation of attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, leading many Ugandans to seek government assistance for their return.

This repatriation exercise was fully funded by the government and emphasized the voluntary nature of the participants’ return, targeting those whose safety was compromised by the deteriorating security situation. Many returnees shared harrowing accounts of fleeing their homes and businesses, often with only the clothes on their backs, after their properties were looted or destroyed.

The recent unrest in South Africa has been linked to protests and demands for stricter immigration enforcement, which unfortunately resulted in foreign nationals becoming targets. While this first phase of repatriation has concluded, no official announcement has yet been made regarding potential future phases for any remaining Ugandans who may still need assistance.

Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/355281/1102-repatriated-from-south-africa-in-phase-one