Uganda has completed the first phase of the voluntary repatriation of 1,102 of its nationals from South Africa amid ongoing xenophobic violence and anti-migrant protests.
The final chartered evacuation flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, carrying 219 evacuees, arrived at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometers south of Kampala, on Thursday, according to the Ugandan Embassy in South Africa, News.Az reports, citing Xinhua.
In a statement posted on X, the embassy said, “The arrival marks the successful conclusion of phase one of the Government of Uganda’s voluntary repatriation exercise, which has now seen 1,102 Ugandan nationals safely returned home through six evacuation flights coordinated between Uganda and South Africa.”
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the repatriation operation was carried out in coordination with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Uganda Airlines and other partners, following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni to protect Ugandan citizens affected by the unrest.
The government said the returnees will undergo a state-led training program at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute in central Uganda to equip them with the skills and mindset needed for successful reintegration into society.
News.Az
By Nijat Babayev
