Entebbe, Uganda – July 7,2026
The Government of Uganda has marked another significant milestone in its ongoing repatriation mission, with Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul this yesterday receiving a fourth batch of 166 Ugandan nationals at Entebbe International Airport. The arrivals, who were evacuated from Durban in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, bring the total number of citizens successfully returned home since the start of the operation to 726 .
The emotional reception came as the government reiterated its unwavering commitment to the safety of its diaspora in the wake of escalating anti-migrant violence in South Africa .
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Uganda, Ambassador of Ogwang Okul expressed profound gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Office of the Prime Minister, and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for their steadfast leadership during the crisis.
"We are fully in charge, and we will continue to execute this emergency operation successfully until the very end," said Ambassador Ogwang. "We shall leave no Ugandan diaspora stranded, in distress, or abandoned in danger" .
The successful evacuation was hailed as a testament to the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF), the Special Forces Command (SFC), the Uganda Police Force, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The joint response teams have been pivotal in ensuring a seamless and dignified reception for the returnees, with VIP officials at Entebbe Airport facilitating a smooth transition .
The returnees are now being safely transported to the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi. Here, they will undergo a comprehensive program encompassing psychosocial rehabilitation, ideological orientation, and preparation for socio-economic reintegration into the country .
This latest flight from Durban follows a series of evacuations that began after an ultimatum was issued by vigilante groups in South Africa, heightening fears among the Ugandan community . The death of a Ugandan national in KwaZulu-Natal during the violence underscored the urgency of the government's response .
“This is a true display of inter-agency collaboration at its finest, where diplomacy needs defence to protect citizens on the frontline,” Ambassador Ogwang remarked, acknowledging the efforts of Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Omoru, and other operational commanders .
As the government continues its commitment to evacuating all citizens who wish to return, the focus now shifts to the long-term reintegration of the returnees, with officials urging them to take advantage of government programs like the Parish Development Model to rebuild their lives .
Welcome home
