Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni PHOTO: HANDOUT
The Ugandan government has announced plans to evacuate its nationals from South Africa following escalating anti-migrant violence and xenophobic protests that have left hundreds seeking to return home.
In a statement on Sunday, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Haruna Kasolo said President Yoweri Museveni had directed the government to organise the evacuation of Ugandans facing security threats in South Africa.
According to the ministry, 746 Ugandan nationals have so far voluntarily registered for evacuation, citing fears over their safety, while more are expected to sign up.
The government added that many other Ugandans had already left South Africa on their own following a reported June 30, 2026, deadline issued by vigilante groups targeting foreign nationals.
"His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of
Uganda, has directed that arrangements be made for the evacuation of Ugandan
nationals from South Africa following the escalating anti-migrant violence and
xenophobic protests by vigilante groups over the past few months," Kasolo said.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working in close coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda High Commission in South Africa, and the leadership of the Ugandan community in South Africa, is finalising an evacuation plan that is expected to commence in the next few days."
The government said the evacuation exercise will involve registering affected citizens across South Africa's provinces, transporting them to designated assembly centres, issuing emergency travel documents where necessary and coordinating with immigration authorities to facilitate their departure.
Uganda Airlines will operate special charter flights to bring the evacuees home, with the entire exercise to be funded by the Ugandan government.
"In collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport, arrangements are being made for Uganda Airlines to provide special charter flights for the evacuation exercise. These flights will be funded by the Government of Uganda," Kasolo said.
The government also said it continues to engage South African authorities to ensure the safety and security of Ugandans who remain in the country.
The announcement came as the government confirmed that one Ugandan national had been killed during an attack in KwaZulu-Natal Province.
"On a sad note, the Government regrets to report that one Ugandan lost his life following an attack in KwaZulu-Natal Province. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Preparations are underway to repatriate the body to Uganda," Kasolo said.
Uganda noted that several other African countries have also evacuated their citizens from South Africa as violence targeting migrants continues to escalate.
