ENTEBBE — It was the end of a tense rescue mission and an emotional homecoming as the final group of 219 Ugandans, including five prisoners, touched down at Entebbe International Airport just after midnight, bringing to 1,102 the total number of citizens dramatically airlifted from violence-hit South Africa.
The successful operation has become Uganda’s biggest overseas evacuation mission ever, ending weeks of fear, uncertainty and desperate cries for help from Ugandans caught in the grip of rising xenophobic attacks.
The final rescue flight, specially chartered by Uganda Airlines, carried exhausted but relieved passengers who had fled an increasingly hostile environment after anti-migrant vigilante groups issued a chilling ultimatum ordering foreigners to leave South Africa.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Paul Amoru, personally escorted the last batch home alongside Moses Kibombo Ssentongo, President General of the Convention of Ugandans in Southern Africa (COUSA). They confirmed that every Ugandan who registered for evacuation has now safely returned home.
But the mission was not without heartbreak.
The violence claimed the life of Wilber Niwamanya, a Ugandan reportedly killed during attacks in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Government officials confirmed that his body is also being flown back home with full government support.
As the final flight landed, emotions ran high.
“It is done. Our people are finally safe,” declared Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul, who has coordinated the operation from Uganda.
He insisted that no Ugandan should ever feel abandoned while living abroad.
«”The mandate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is clear—to protect Ugandan interests abroad. Our diaspora is our supreme interest,” he said.»
Behind the scenes, the rescue involved an enormous logistical operation bringing together the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Airlines and several other government agencies.
Four emergency evacuation centres were established in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, where stranded Ugandans were registered, sheltered and prepared for the journey back home.
The government is now turning its attention to helping the returnees rebuild their lives.
Officials have announced reintegration and skills development programmes at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
«”We are investing in your reintegration and skilling to leverage your talents for our economy,” Ambassador Ogwang assured the returnees.»
The evacuation also comes as Uganda prepares to roll out the National Diaspora Policy 2026, designed to unlock the economic potential of Ugandans abroad, whose annual remittances are estimated at more than US$2.5 billion.
In an emotional message, Ambassador Ogwang reminded Ugandans that home will always be there for them.
«”The hunter’s home may be small, but it is where he finds peace. Uganda never abandons her own. We did it during COVID-19, we have done it now, and we will do it again whenever our people are in distress.”»
He praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Office of the Prime Minister, Uganda Airlines and all participating agencies for ensuring that not a single registered Ugandan was left behind.
