Uganda has announced plans to evacuate its citizens from South Africa following months of escalating anti-migrant violence and protests that have raised security concerns for foreign nationals.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had directed the government to organize the evacuation of Ugandans seeking to leave the country.
“His Excellency, the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has directed that arrangements be made for the evacuation of Ugandan nationals from South Africa following the escalating anti-migrant violence and the protests by vigilante groups over the past few months,” Kasolo said.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working with the Office of the Prime Minister, the ministries of Internal Affairs and Works and Transport, the Uganda High Commission in South Africa, and leaders of the Ugandan community, is finalizing an evacuation plan expected to begin within the next few days.
According to Kasolo, 746 Ugandan nationals have so far voluntarily registered for evacuation due to growing security concerns, with more expected to sign up.
“Currently, 746 Ugandan nationals in South Africa have voluntarily registered and sought assistance for evacuation due to security and safety concerns, and more are expected to register,” he said.
The evacuation follows a wave of anti-immigration demonstrations in South Africa, where vigilante groups have demanded the removal of undocumented foreign nationals and reportedly issued a 30 June deadline for migrants to leave certain communities. Thousands of foreign nationals from several African countries have sought assistance from their governments or left the country voluntarily as tensions mounted.
Kasolo noted that many Ugandans had already departed South Africa on their own following the reported deadline issued by the vigilante groups. He added that several African governments had also evacuated their nationals in response to the deteriorating security situation.