Uganda: The first group of Ugandan nationals evacuated from South Africa arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday night. As the Government of Uganda intensifies efforts to repatriate citizens affected by recent anti-migrant violence and xenophobic attacks.
Reportedly, a special Uganda Airlines charter flight carrying 260 evacuees landed at 9:30 p.m. on July 02, 2026. The evacuation follows a directive issued by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni that aims at safeguarding the welfare and security of Ugandans caught up in the unrest in South Africa.
The repatriation exercise is being coordinated through a multi-agency effort involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, and leaders of the Ugandan community in South Africa. Uganda Airlines is operating the special charter flights, with the entire evacuation programme fully funded by the Government of Uganda.
𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚
The first batch of Ugandan nationals evacuated from South Africa is expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport tonight, 2nd July 2026, at 9:30pm aboard a… pic.twitter.com/ZexLVJAe78
— Government of Uganda (@GovUganda) July 2, 2026
Officials said that the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria has played a central role in facilitating the operation by registering evacuees. It established safe assembly centres and issued emergency travel documents to those require assistance. The mission has also been coordinating closely with local authorities and community representatives to ensure the safe movement of Ugandan nationals from affected areas to departure points.
According to Paul Amoru, additional repatriation flights have already been arranged to accommodate more citizens seeking to return home. The second charter flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 3:00 a.m. on Friday and arrive at Entebbe at 8:15 a.m., carrying 35 evacuees. A third flight will depart later the same day at 1:00 p.m. and is expected to arrive at 7:00 p.m. with another 114 Ugandan nationals on board.
The government said that it remains committed to support all Ugandans affected by the violence and continues to engage with South African authorities to ensure the protection and welfare of those who have chosen to remain in the country. The latest evacuation underscored Uganda’s commitment to protect its citizens abroad during times of crisis while working with diplomatic missions and international partners to facilitate their safe return to home.