The Ugandan government has announced plans to evacuate 746 of its nationals from South Africa following months of escalating anti-migrant violence and xenophobic protests.
Briefing the press over the weekend, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Haruna Kasolo said President Yoweri Museveni had directed relevant government agencies to begin arrangements for the evacuation of Ugandans who wish to return home because of worsening security concerns.
Kasolo told reporters that the evacuees had registered to return home and that the ministry was working with relevant government agencies, the Ugandan community in South Africa, and the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria to finalize the evacuation plan.
The government will facilitate the registration of returnees, their transfer to safe assembly centers, the issuance of emergency travel documents where necessary, and their departure from South Africa, Kasolo said.
Uganda Airlines, the country’s national carrier, will operate special charter flights for the evacuation, with costs to be covered by the Ugandan government, he said.
Kasolo urged Ugandans wishing to return home to register with the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria as soon as possible.
He said some Ugandans had already left South Africa on their own following a June 30 deadline reportedly issued by vigilante groups.
He added that several Ugandans had already left South Africa on their own following a 30 June deadline reportedly issued by vigilante groups targeting foreign nationals.
The plan includes registering affected citizens across South Africa’s provinces, moving them to designated safe assembly centres, issuing emergency travel documents where necessary and working with immigration authorities to facilitate their departure.
MG/abj/APA