Kampala, Uganda: The Government of Uganda has launched an emergency evacuation plan for hundreds of Ugandan nationals stranded in South Africa following months of escalating anti-migrant violence that has already claimed the life of one Ugandan.
The evacuation, already underway, follows a directive by President Yoweri Museveni after worsening xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests by vigilante groups prompted growing fears among foreign nationals living in South Africa.
Governments across the region have also begun evacuating their citizens as tensions continue to rise.que, Nigeria, and Ghana, have already begun repatriating their citizens amid growing security concerns.
In his press briefing to the media on Sunday, June 28, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo said at least 746 Ugandans have voluntarily registered for evacuation, with officials expecting more to seek assistance in the coming days.
“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,” Hon Kasolo said.
“Currently, 746 (seven hundred and forty-six) Ugandans have voluntarily registered and sought assistance for evacuation due to security and safety concerns, and more are expected to register,” he noted, adding that some Ugandans had already left South Africa independently after reports that vigilante groups had set June 30, 2026, as a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
The evacuation plan, according to Hon Kasolo, is being coordinated jointly with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda’s High Commission in Pretoria, and leaders of the Ugandan community in South Africa.
The exercise will involve registering affected Ugandans across South Africa’s provinces, transporting them to designated assembly centres, issuing emergency travel documents where necessary, and coordinating with South African immigration authorities to facilitate their departure.
“The evacuation plan entails the registration of affected Ugandans across the various provinces, their transfer to safe assembly centres, the issuance of emergency travel documents where necessary, and coordination with relevant immigration authorities to facilitate their departure from South Africa.”
The ministry further revealed that Uganda Airlines will operate special charter flights to repatriate the affected nationals, with the entire evacuation exercise financed by the Government of Uganda.
“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 explained.
Even as the evacuation preparations continue, Kampala says it remains in close contact with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Ugandans who remain in the country. “The Government of Uganda continues to engage the Government of the Republic of South Africa on this matter to ensure the security and safety of Ugandan nationals still residing there.”
One Ugandan Confirmed Dead
In an unfortunate update regarding the attacks, Minister Kasolo confirmed that one Ugandan national was killed during the recent violence in KwaZulu-Natal Province, with preparations underway to repatriate the deceased’s body.
“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.”
The evacuation comes amid one of South Africa’s most serious waves of xenophobic unrest in recent years. Authorities in the homeland have promised a heavy police deployment ahead of June 30, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned vigilantism and warned against blaming migrants for the country’s economic and social challenges.
Despite those assurances, thousands of foreign nationals have fled their homes or sought assistance from their embassies amid fears the protests could turn violent.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has also expressed “grave alarm” over threats against migrants, urging South Africa to protect foreign nationals, dismantle vigilante groups and prosecute those responsible for attacks.
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