Govt moots evacuation plan for citizens stranded in Iran and Israel

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Government has activated an emergency evacuation plan to rescue citizens stranded in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel following the outbreak of hostilities between the two countries on June 13, 2025.

Vincent Waiswa Bagiire, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that urgent steps have been taken in coordination with Uganda’s diplomatic missions and other government agencies to ensure the safety of Ugandans trapped in the conflict zones.

“Using our established evacuation protocols, we have registered Ugandan students in Iran and received credible information from parents, relatives, and concerned citizens about Ugandans stranded in Israel,” Bagiire said.

Bagiire revealed that 48 Ugandan students are currently being safely evacuated from Tehran, Iran’s capital, following successful negotiations with Iranian authorities for their safe passage out of the country. 

“We are in constant communication with the relevant authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran to facilitate the safe and secure movement of our nationals away from areas affected by the conflict,” he added. 

To facilitate smoother movement and temporary resettlement, Uganda has reached out to the governments of countries bordering Iran and Israel, specifically Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Jordan, requesting gratis (free) visas on arrival for Ugandan evacuees.

“We have also alerted our embassies in the region — including those in Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar — to offer necessary consular support to Ugandans who may arrive through these countries,” Bagiire noted.

According to him, diplomatic missions in these countries will deploy officers to receive evacuees, provide them with immediate assistance, and coordinate their return home to Uganda.

The Ministry emphasised that it remains committed to safeguarding the lives of Ugandan nationals abroad and is working tirelessly to monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East.

Foreign Affairs’ ministry statement came out after the Ambassador of Israel in Nairobi accredited to Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania and the Seychelles, H.E. Michael Lotem, issued an evacuation advisory for Ugandan citizens residing in Israel and Iran.

Speaking during a regional security briefing today (Wednesday, 18, 2025), Lotem confirmed that around 500 Ugandans currently reside in Israel, many of them students and workers.

“We’ve received evacuation requests, especially from parents of students in Israeli high schools. We are working closely with our Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate their safe departure,” Lotem said.

The ambassador noted that Ben Gurion Airport in Israel remains closed, and Ugandans are advised to consider evacuation routes through Egypt or Lebanon.

He encouraged Ugandans to reach out to the Ugandan Embassy in Cairo and register for assistance through official Israeli channels:

Email: virtual@goisrael.gov.il

WhatsApp: +972-53-583-5808

Facebook: Israel Virtual Tourist Office

Iran officially reports 224 deaths since Friday. On the other hand, Iranian missile barrages have killed 24 Israeli civilians to date, with approximately 600 people injured since the conflict broke out seven days ago, according to Lotem.