Kyankwanzi, Uganda: Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo, on Friday visited Ugandans recently repatriated from South Africa and encouraged them to embrace government wealth-creation and skills-development programmes as they rebuild their lives back home.
Kasolo met the returnees at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, where they are undergoing psychosocial support, counselling and reintegration training before returning to their respective communities.
During the visit, the minister assured the returnees of government’s commitment to helping them successfully reintegrate through programmes that promote self-employment, skills development and access to affordable financing.
“Today, I visited our fellow Ugandans who were recently repatriated from South Africa and are currently undergoing reintegration support in Kyankwanzi. It was encouraging to interact with them and share the various Government programmes they can benefit from as they rebuild their lives back home,” Kasolo, who is also State Minister (Regional Affairs), said.
He urged the returnees to take advantage of existing government initiatives designed to improve household incomes and create sustainable livelihoods.
“I encouraged them to take advantage of initiatives aimed at skills development, wealth creation, and access to affordable financing so they can successfully reintegrate into their communities and contribute to Uganda’s development,” he added.
The visit comes as the Government continues implementing a voluntary evacuation programme launched following anti-migrant protests and xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa.
According to Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Paul Amoru, a total of 1130 Ugandans had been voluntarily repatriated by 10 July 2026, following the arrival of four evacuation flights coordinated by the Government of Uganda.
Kasolo commended the various government institutions and agencies that coordinated the successful evacuation and safe return of the Ugandans. “I…express my sincere appreciation to H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of Ugandans wherever they may be.”
“My gratitude also goes to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the UPDF, the Uganda Police Force, our Embassy in South Africa led by Ambassador Paul Amoru, and all the agencies and stakeholders whose dedication made the safe repatriation of our compatriots possible.”
Officials say the reintegration programme at Kyankwanzi is intended to prepare returnees for productive livelihoods through counselling, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and linkage to government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other economic empowerment initiatives.
Kasolo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Ugandans both at home and abroad. “The Government of Uganda remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting its citizens and ensuring they are supported to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.”
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