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Museveni orders evacuation as 746 Ugandans register to leave South Africa
Kasolo confirmed the presidential directive and said 746 Ugandan nationals had already registered with the embassy and were ready for evacuation.
President Yoweri Museveni has ordered evacuation of Ugandan nationals in South Africa. (File photo)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
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President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Works and Transport to ensure the safe evacuation of Ugandan nationals stranded in South Africa following escalating anti-immigrant violence and xenophobic protests by vigilante groups.
Acting foreign affairs minister Haruna Kasolo, while addressing the press on Sunday (June 28) at the Uganda Media Centre, confirmed the presidential directive and said 746 Ugandan nationals had already registered with the embassy and were ready for evacuation.
He also revealed that one Ugandan national had been attacked and killed on June 25, 2026.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working in close coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda High Commission in South Africa and the leadership of Ugandan Community in South Africa is finalizing an evacuation plan that is expected to commence in the next few days,” Kasolo said.
“Currently, 746 Ugandans have voluntarily registered and sought assistance for evacuation due to security and safety concerns, and more are expected to register. Additionally, many Ugandans have already left South Africa on their own following the June, 30, 2026, deadline reportedly issued by the vigilante groups,” the minister added.
He further noted that governments of several African countries have also evacuated their nationals from South Africa under the prevailing circumstances.
Mass deportations and rising tensions
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which began about four months ago, have triggered mass deportations and prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene as tensions rise ahead of the June 30 deadline.
The deadline, issued by anti-immigrant groups, demands that undocumented immigrants leave the country or face a national shutdown and demonstrations.
“Currently, 746 Ugandans have voluntarily registered and sought assistance for evacuation due to security and safety concerns, and more are expected to register. Additionally, many Ugandans have already left South Africa on their own following the June, 30, 2026, deadline reportedly issued by the vigilante groups,” the minister added.
He further noted that governments of several African countries have also evacuated their nationals from South Africa under the prevailing circumstances.
Mass deportations and rising tensions
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which began about four months ago, have triggered mass deportations and prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene as tensions rise ahead of the June 30 deadline.
The deadline, issued by anti-immigrant groups, demands that undocumented immigrants leave the country or face a national shutdown and demonstrations.
Groups such as Operation Dudula and the March and March movement have demanded the removal of undocumented foreigners or threatened nationwide disruptions.
President Ramaphosa has declared the deadline unlawful, stating that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state. Security forces have since been placed on high alert in hotspot areas to prevent vigilante violence, forced removals or looting.
The looming deadline has heightened fear among foreign nationals, with hundreds seeking shelter in community halls or voluntarily boarding buses back to countries such as Malawi and Mozambique. Several African countries have also issued alerts to their citizens.
Details in the Monday New Vision.
President Ramaphosa has declared the deadline unlawful, stating that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state. Security forces have since been placed on high alert in hotspot areas to prevent vigilante violence, forced removals or looting.
The looming deadline has heightened fear among foreign nationals, with hundreds seeking shelter in community halls or voluntarily boarding buses back to countries such as Malawi and Mozambique. Several African countries have also issued alerts to their citizens.
Details in the Monday New Vision.