The Ugandan government has initiated an emergency evacuation of its citizens from South Africa following months of escalating anti-migrant violence and xenophobic attacks by vigilante groups.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni directed government agencies to plan for the evacuation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working with the Office of the Prime Minister, Uganda Airlines, and the Uganda High Commission in South Africa, is finalizing a plan expected to commence in the next few days.
The evacuation comes as anti-immigrant groups have set a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, prompting widespread fear and a rush by thousands of foreign nationals to return home.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized economy, has long been a destination for migrants seeking work. However, with an unemployment rate of 33%, some locals blame foreigners for scarce jobs, housing, and public services. A vigilante group known as March and March has been organizing protests and threatening to conduct its own checks to identify undocumented migrants, raising fears of widespread violence.
The government in Pretoria has deployed security forces and promised a firm response, but the situation has already turned deadly. Several African countries, including Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, have begun repatriating their citizens.
Currently, 746 Ugandans have voluntarily registered with the government for evacuation due to security concerns, and more are expected to register. The evacuation plan involves registering affected individuals across South Africa’s provinces, transferring them to safe assembly centers, issuing emergency travel documents where necessary, and coordinating with South African immigration authorities for their departure.
Uganda Airlines will provide special charter flights for the evacuation, fully funded by the Government of Uganda.
The government confirmed that one Ugandan national lost his life following an attack in KwaZulu-Natal Province. “We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” the statement read. Preparations are underway to repatriate the body to Uganda.
In the meantime, the Government of Uganda continues to engage with the Government of South Africa to ensure the security and safety of Ugandan nationals still residing there .
Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the press release, urging Ugandans in South Africa to register with the High Commission for assistance.
