At least 265 Ugandan nationals are expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport this Thursday, July, 2 evening at around 6:30 p.m. aboard a special Uganda Airlines charter flight, marking the first phase of a government-organised voluntary repatriation exercise from South Africa.
According to the Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, the evacuation follows a directive by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, with the Government of Uganda covering all associated costs.
“Today evening at 6:30 p.m., we shall receive the first group of 265 Ugandan nationals repatriated from South Africa aboard a special Uganda Airlines charter flight at Entebbe International Airport,” Byamukama said.
He explained that the operation is part of a broader return programme involving more than 700 Ugandans who have so far registered to return home.
“This is the first phase of a government-led voluntary repatriation exercise following the directive of H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who ordered that all costs of the evacuation be fully met by the Government of Uganda. More than 700 Ugandans have so far registered to return home, and additional flights will be arranged as necessary,” he added.
Byamukama also commended the coordinated efforts of various government agencies, Uganda’s diplomatic mission in South Africa, Uganda Airlines, and community leaders for facilitating the exercise.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to all government agencies, our High Commission in Pretoria, Uganda Airlines, and our community leaders in South Africa for their tireless coordination. To our returning compatriots, we welcome you back home,” he said.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Paul Amoru, said the repatriation process followed several days of close coordination with South African authorities to facilitate the safe movement of Ugandan nationals from different parts of the country.
He explained that Ugandans were assembled from various locations, including Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, before being transported to designated departure centres.
“We have spent the last three days working closely with the Government of South Africa, specifically the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority, and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, to ensure that our nationals are able to move safely from wherever they were to the designated holding centres,” Amoru said.
He revealed that more than 300 Ugandans had already been cleared by South African authorities, paving the way for the first evacuation flight.
“As of this evening, they have cleared over 300 of our nationals. This means we can confirm without any doubt that tomorrow we should be able to receive the first batch of our nationals at Entebbe International Airport at around 6:30 p.m.,” he said.
Amoru added that additional flights will be arranged in the coming days, with the government aiming to repatriate between 800 and 1,000 Ugandans during the initial phase of the exercise. He noted that the group includes Ugandans who had been held in detention facilities but have since been cleared for return.
