Uganda completes first phase of evacuations from South Africa as xenophobic violence escalates

Uganda completes first phase of evacuations from South Africa as xenophobic violence escalates
Uganda completes first phase of evacuations from South Africa as xenophobic violence escalates - Some of the 50 Kenyans evacuated from South Africa. (Photo: State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X)
Some of the 50 Kenyans evacuated from South Africa. (Photo: State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X)

Listen to article

3 min listen
Audio reading is not supported on this browser.
Ready

Thanks for listening. Continue with a related story, or tap the speaker icon on the next page to listen.

Related story

Uganda reports 16 deaths linked to drought-induced food shortages

XINHUA  ·  15 hours ago
Read next Opens a fresh page.

It added that 1,102 Ugandan nationals had returned home aboard six coordinated evacuation flights organised jointly by the Ugandan and South African authorities.

Uganda has completed the first phase of its voluntary evacuation of citizens from South Africa, bringing home 1,102 nationals fleeing a surge in xenophobic violence and anti-migrant protests.
The sixth and final evacuation flight carrying 219 Ugandans landed safely at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday, concluding the government-backed repatriation operation.
The chartered flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg before arriving in Kampala.

More To Read

In a statement, the Ugandan Embassy in South Africa said the final arrival marked the successful completion of the first phase of the evacuation exercise.
“The arrival marks the successful conclusion of phase one of the Government of Uganda’s voluntary repatriation exercise,” the embassy said.
It added that 1,102 Ugandan nationals had returned home aboard six coordinated evacuation flights organised jointly by the Ugandan and South African authorities.

Latest Stories

Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the operation was conducted in partnership with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and supported by Uganda Airlines following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni to facilitate the safe return of citizens affected by the unrest.
Authorities said the returnees will undergo orientation and skills training at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute to support their reintegration.
The evacuation comes amid a widening exodus of African migrants from South Africa following weeks of anti-immigrant demonstrations and xenophobic attacks.
Several governments, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, have also repatriated hundreds of their nationals as public anger over unemployment and crime has increasingly been directed at foreign African communities.
The growing violence is beginning to carry diplomatic consequences. Ghana recently postponed a planned high-level visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing concerns over attacks on Ghanaian nationals, underscoring how xenophobia is increasingly reshaping relations between African states.
South African authorities have condemned the violence and insist law enforcement agencies are responding to criminal incidents.
However, pressure continues to mount on Pretoria as more African governments move to evacuate their citizens and demand stronger protection for migrants living in the country.

Other Topics To Read

Top Stories Today

Comments

0
Loading comments...

Trending

Technology | |
Business | |
Regional | |
Politics | |
News | |
News | |
Uganda | |
News | |
News | |
Business | |

Latest Stories

DR Congo Ebola outbreak remains "very active," peak not yet in sight: health minister
Democratic Republic Of Congo | |
Congo: UN laments uptick in fighting in South Kivu
Democratic Republic Of Congo | |
School bus carrying 56 learners involved in accident along Kabarnet–Marigat Road
Headlines | |
Revealed: Matiang'i, Kalonzo camps at odds over Opposition flagbearer contest
Headlines | |
Commercial vessels advised to exercise caution in Strait of Hormuz amid security concerns
Headlines | |
StanChart Nairobi Marathon targets over 30,000 runners for 2026 edition
Athletics | |
Kenya breaks new ground as Sagana hosts landmark African Rafting Championships
Headlines | |
High Court awards lawyer Sh6.9 Million after finding Dusit terror prosecution was unjustified
Headlines | |
Sadio Mané retires from international football, ending a golden era for Senegal
Football | |
IEBC fines Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia Sh1.5 million over controversial campaign remarks
Headlines | |
World Bank flags key structural hurdles slowing Kenya’s path to inclusive prosperity
Business | |
NCCK raises alarm over voter bribery, coercion and 'goonism' as 2027 polls near
Headlines | |

Popular Stories This Week

Heavy rains forecast across Kenya this weekend, residents urged to take precautions
Charity Kilei |
Tanzania bans use of foreign currencies for local transactions
Maureen Kinyanjui |
Pakistan working on second round of US-Iran peace talks - reports
DW News |
Turkish airlines to suspend 18 international routes starting May
Mary Wambui |
KMTC announces 5,000 training slots for March 2025 intake
Charles Adinda |
State directs Saccos to cover losses from KUSCCO scandal
Eastleigh Voice Reporter |
Govt to slash civil servants’ hardship allowances in policy overhaul, saving Sh6bn annually
Maureen Kinyanjui |
Denmark suspends green-sector work permit processing for applicants from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
Rachael Mutabasi |
Defence CS Soipan Tuya among 52 graduates at National Defence College ceremony
Mary Wambui |
Forgot your Safaricom number? Here is a simple way to get it
Margaret Wanjiru |
Ex-Kenya Simbas ace Joshua Weru signs with NFL's Philadelphia Eagles
Bashir Mbuthia |
Eliud Kipchoge hails historic marathon day as Sawe breaks two-hour barrier
Amina Wako |
Gachagua impeachment challenged in Court as lawyers allege constitutional violations
Carolyne Kubwa |
Businesses closed, Nairobi–Garissa buses halted over Mwingi clashes
Abdirahman Khalif |
Marathon world record holder Sawe receives heroic welcome after historic London Marathon triumph
Erick Kariuki |
KCSE exam results to be released in January as KNEC enhances cheating scrutiny
Maureen Kinyanjui |
OpenAI reportedly building AI-powered smartphone to rival iPhone
Margaret Wanjiru |
Sabastian Sawe, Hellen Obiri carry Kenya’s hopes in London Marathon showdown
Amina Wako |
Fuel shortages spread across Ethiopia as Middle East tensions disrupt supply
Bashir Mbuthia |
Details of the new salary structure, housing allowance changes for civil servants
Maureen Kinyanjui |
Inside Sh65,000 Adidas ‘feather shoe’ that helped Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe break marathon history
Margaret Wanjiru |
From endometriosis, IVF to loss and healing: A journey through motherhood and grief in the ‘Circle of Hope’
Charity Kilei |
Passport shock: Kenyans to pay Sh12,500 as cheaper options disappear from eCitizen portal
Lucy Mumbi |
UN: Don't allow Israel-Iran conflict to spark new refugee crisis
DW News |
Google rolls out auto-labelling feature for NotebookLM to simplify research workflows
Margaret Wanjiru |
Ruto awards Sawe Sh8 million, car after historic sub-two-hour London Marathon run
Erick Kariuki |
Exclusive: Somali referee Omar Artan secures US visa, cleared to officiate at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Bashir Mbuthia |
Mugabe’s youngest son escapes jail time, fined Sh4.7 million but loses immigration battle in South Africa
Amina Wako |
Why Instagram is removing end-to-end encryption feature for direct messages
Margaret Wanjiru |
How to make eesh/ceesh, the light everyday bread loved in Eastleigh
Margaret Wanjiru |