By Nathan Eyagu 

Kampala — The first group of Ugandan nationals evacuated from South Africa is expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport today at 9:30 p.m. aboard a special Uganda Airlines charter flight carrying 260 evacuees.

The evacuation follows a directive issued by His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to safeguard the safety and welfare of Ugandan citizens in response to recent anti-migrant violence and xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The repatriation exercise is being jointly coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, and the leadership of the Ugandan community in South Africa. The Government of Uganda is fully funding the special Uganda Airlines charter flights.

The Uganda High Commission in Pretoria has played a central role in coordinating the evacuation on the ground, overseeing the registration of affected Ugandans, establishing safe assembly centres, and issuing emergency travel documents where necessary to facilitate the smooth departure of evacuees.

According to Uganda's High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Paul Amoru, additional evacuation flights have already been scheduled to bring more Ugandan nationals home. The second flight is expected to depart South Africa on Friday at 3:00 a.m. and arrive in Uganda at 8:15 a.m., carrying 35 evacuees. A third flight is scheduled to depart at 1:00 p.m. and arrive at 7:00 p.m. with 114 Ugandan nationals on board.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remains in close coordination with South African authorities to ensure the continued safety and protection of Ugandans who remain in the country while arrangements for further evacuations continue.

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ugandan citizens abroad and ensuring that all those affected by the recent violence are safely returned home.