Uganda repatriates 273 nationals after anti-migrant unrest in South Africa
A total of 273 Ugandan nationals returned home on Friday aboard the first government-funded charter flight under Uganda's voluntary repatriation programme from South Africa, following recent anti-immigration protests and attacks targeting foreign nationals.
Footage captured early Friday showed the evacuees arriving at Entebbe International Airport, clearing passport control and reuniting with their families after disembarking from the chartered flight.
Uganda's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Haruna Kasolo, said the government launched the programme as a precautionary measure in response to the security situation in South Africa.
"We decided to take a precautionary step," Kasolo said.
"This was as a result of vigilante-related protests organised by private citizens and with coordinated attacks against foreign nationals, especially of African origin," he added.
Government officials said more than 800 Ugandan nationals have registered for voluntary repatriation as Kampala continues its evacuation programme.
Uganda joins Ghana and Nigeria in offering voluntary repatriation to citizens wishing to leave South Africa amid concerns over the recent unrest targeting foreign nationals.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
