The Ugandan government has announced plans to evacuate hundreds of its citizens from South Africa following months of escalating anti-migrant violence and xenophobic protests.
In a statement issued on Sunday, 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.
The evacuation exercise is expected to begin within the next few days.
Mr Kasolo said 746 Ugandan nationals have so far voluntarily registered for evacuation, with more expected to do so.
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.
According to the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating the evacuation with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda High Commission in South Africa and leaders of the Ugandan community in the country.
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.
The government said Uganda Airlines would operate special charter flights for the evacuation, with the costs to be borne by the Ugandan government.
The government also confirmed that one Ugandan was killed in an attack in KwaZulu-Natal. (Premium Times)
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