42 Ugandans evacuated from Iran amid conflict with Israel, more expected

Tehran, Iran: The Ugandan Embassy in Tehran has, so far, successfully evacuated 42 Ugandan students and two diplomatic staff from Iran to Turkey, following the outbreak of hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel that erupted on June 13, 2025.

The evacuation was facilitated through a special Emergency Evacuation Coordination Centre set up by the embassy and operated in conjunction with Uganda’s mission in Ankara and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Kampala.

According to officials, the Embassy coordinated land transport out of Iran and secured Turkey’s agreement to grant visas on arrival, ensuring safe passage and temporary accommodation before the Ugandans return home aboard a chartered commercial flight.

The Emergency Evacuation Coordination Centre is being overseen by Ambassador Matata Twaha, Uganda’s Chargé d’Affaires a.i. in Tehran, alongside Mr. Oscar J. Edule, Minister Counsellor, and Mr. Agaba Mark, Financial Attaché. The team remains on the ground to manage ongoing evacuation procedures for Ugandans still stranded in Iran.

The group of evacuees was received on June 18, 2025, at the Bargarzan border by Mr. Julius Malinga (Second Secretary), Ms. Zainah Nabirye (Uganda Embassy, Tehran), and Mr. Mubarak Daka (Uganda Embassy, Ankara). They are currently en route to Istanbul, where they will board a repatriation flight to Uganda.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the Republic of Turkey for its swift cooperation in providing emergency travel clearance and logistical support for Ugandans affected by the regional tensions.

The evacuation process is still ongoing, and the Embassy in Tehran continues to call upon families and stakeholders with information about Ugandans still in Iran to reach out for coordination and assistance.