Fear and uncertainty have gripped some Ugandans living in South Africa as the government moves to bring home hundreds of citizens following escalating anti-migrant violence and xenophobic protests targeting foreign nationals. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed government agencies to urgently organise an evacuation plan after Ugandans began reporting growing security concerns and seeking assistance […]
Fear and uncertainty have gripped some Ugandans living in South Africa as the government moves to bring home hundreds of citizens following escalating anti-migrant violence and xenophobic protests targeting foreign nationals.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed government agencies to urgently organise an evacuation plan after Ugandans began reporting growing security concerns and seeking assistance to return home.
So far, 746 Ugandans have voluntarily registered for evacuation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairswarning that the number could rise as more citizens come forward.
Uganda’s Commissioner to South Africa Paul Amoru notes that over 1000 Ugandans living and working in South Africa are vulnerable and could be affected in this repatriation process. Most of those affected include people in skilled and unskilled employment.
In areas like waitstaff, chefs, kitchen workers, teachers, skilled and unskilled laborers such as bricklayers and painters, domestic workers, cleaners , informal mechanics , clerks and cashiers working in foreign-owned informal grocery kiosks (spaza shops), drivers of trucks, vehicles, delivery workers among others.
Amoru says following the President’s directive, a consultative meeting was held by the Prime Minister on Saturday and rescue efforts have taken effect ahead of the June 30 deadline issued by vigilante groups to vacate the country. The groups argue that under their law, Foreign Nationals should be employed under critical skills.
He mentions that the most affected provinces are ;Kwazulu Natal, where one Ugandan identified as Wilber Niwamanya operating as a motorcycle deliverer was killed following an assault by an angry mob attached to one of the vigilante groups. The other provinces are Gauteng where Pretoria and Johansburg are located and Western Cape.
But Amoru says those with documented businesses and working permits might be safe.
The categories he says are at risk are in need of full government support, Amnesty, free air tickets via the Uganda Airlines and emergency travel documents. The Ministry of foreign affairs is working alongside Uganda’s High Commission in South Africa, Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Office of the Prime Minister.
Some Ugandans have already made the difficult decision to leave the country on their own, fearing for their safety as tensions rise in different areas.
The acting Foreign Affairs Minister Haruna Kasolo says the evacuation operation will involve identifying affected Ugandans across various provinces, moving them to safe assembly points, providing emergency travel documents where necessary and coordinating their departure with South African immigration authorities.
The Minister says a special airlift is also being prepared, with Uganda Airlines expected to operate charter flights to bring citizens back home. The cost of the evacuation will be covered by the Government of Uganda.
Hon Kasolo expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said preparations are underway to return the deceased’s remains to Uganda.
He notes that the government has also continued talks with South African authorities, urging them to ensure the safety of Ugandans and other foreign nationals still living in the country.
For many Ugandans who built lives in South Africa through business, employment and family ties, the evacuation comes as a painful but necessary step amid fears of further violence.
