The Government of Uganda has announced urgent evacuation plans for its citizens residing in South Africa following escalating anti-migrant violence and rising xenophobic attacks linked to vigilante groups in recent months.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni directed relevant government agencies to immediately coordinate the safe return of Ugandans facing growing insecurity in the country.
The Ministry said it is working closely with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria to finalize evacuation arrangements expected to begin within days.
According to official figures, 746 Ugandans have already voluntarily registered for assistance to return home, citing safety concerns.
Authorities warned that the number may increase as more citizens continue to seek emergency evacuation.
The statement also noted that many Ugandans have already left South Africa independently following a reported 30 June 2026 deadline allegedly imposed by vigilante groups.
The evacuation framework includes registration of affected nationals across different provinces, relocation to designated safe assembly centres, issuance of emergency travel documents where necessary, and coordination with South African immigration authorities to facilitate orderly departures.
The government further confirmed that Uganda Airlines, in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport, will deploy special charter flights for the evacuation exercise.
The entire operation will be financed by the Government of Uganda.
In parallel, diplomatic engagements are ongoing between Kampala and Pretoria to address the security situation and ensure protection for Ugandan citizens still in South Africa.
The Ministry also confirmed a fatal incident involving a Ugandan national who was killed in KwaZulu-Natal Province during an attack linked to the unrest.
Authorities expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said arrangements are underway to repatriate the body to Uganda.
“The Government of Uganda regrets this loss and extends its deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased,” the statement read.
The evacuation marks one of Uganda’s largest coordinated overseas rescue operations in recent years, underscoring growing regional concern over rising xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa.