Uganda to evacuate 746 citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic violence

The Ugandan government has announced plans to evacuate hundreds of citizens from South Africa after months of growing anti-migrant violence and xenophobic protests.

In a statement released on Sunday, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Haruna Kasolo said President Yoweri Museveni has directed relevant government agencies to initiate arrangements for the evacuation of Ugandans wishing to return home amid worsening security concerns.

The evacuation exercise is expected to begin in the next few days.

Kasolo said 746 Ugandan citizens have so far registered voluntarily for evacuation, and more are expected to do so.

He added that several Ugandans had already left South Africa on their own following the June 30 deadline reportedly issued by vigilante groups targeting foreign nationals.

According to the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating the evacuation with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda High Commission in South Africa and Ugandan community leaders in the country.

The plan involves registering affected citizens in South Africa’s provinces, moving them to designated safe assembly centers, issuing emergency travel documents where necessary, and working with immigration authorities to facilitate their departure.

The government said Uganda Airlines would operate special charter flights for the evacuation, with the costs borne by the Ugandan government.

The government also confirmed that a Ugandan was killed in an attack in KwaZulu-Natal. (Premium Times)