Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Uganda has concluded the first phase of its voluntary repatriation programme from South Africa, bringing home 1,102 citizens following xenophobic violence and anti-migrant protests.
The exercise ended on Thursday when the final chartered flight carrying 219 evacuees departed Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport and arrived at Entebbe International Airport in Kampala.
In a statement posted on X, the Ugandan Embassy in South Africa said: “The arrival marks the successful conclusion of phase one of the Government of Uganda’s voluntary repatriation exercise.”
The embassy added: “1,102 Ugandan nationals safely returned home through six evacuation flights coordinated between Uganda and South Africa,’’ highlighting the scale of the operation.
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation was carried out in partnership with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to ensure the safe return of affected citizens.
The operation was supported by Uganda Airlines and other partners following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni to assist Ugandans impacted by the unrest in South Africa.
Authorities said the returnees would participate in a training programme at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute in central Uganda as part of efforts to support their reintegration into society.
