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Speaker Oboth reassures Ugandans in South Africa of safety
Oboth, who was in Johannesburg attending the 19th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth Africa Region, held a meeting with leaders of the Ugandan community in South Africa led by Moses Kibombo, the president of the Confederation of Ugandans in Southern Africa (COUSA).
The Speaker also pledged to follow up on a detailed report submitted by the Uganda High Commission to Kampala containing recommendations aimed at protecting Ugandans affected by the ongoing immigration challenges and xenophobic threats in South Africa.
By: Nelson Kiva, Journalist @New Vision
The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oboth Oboth, has assured Ugandans living in South Africa that their welfare, safety and security remain a priority for the government of Uganda amid growing fears triggered by renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
Oboth, who was in Johannesburg attending the 19th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth Africa Region, held a meeting with leaders of the Ugandan community in South Africa led by Moses Kibombo, the president of the Confederation of Ugandans in Southern Africa (COUSA).
According to the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, the meeting focused on the welfare, safety and security of Ugandans living in South Africa, particularly in light of recent attacks against foreign nationals and concerns over the treatment of migrants in several provinces.
“The meeting focused on the welfare, safety and security of Ugandans living in South Africa, particularly in light of the recent attacks targeting foreign nationals and growing concerns within migrant communities,” the Uganda High Commission stated.
During the meeting, Oboth reassured the community that the Government was closely monitoring the situation and would work through diplomatic and parliamentary channels to ensure the concerns raised by Ugandans are addressed.
“I have listened carefully to the concerns of our people and the recommendations presented. Parliament will work closely with the Executive and all relevant government agencies to ensure actionable solutions are found. The welfare and protection of Ugandans abroad remains a priority,” Oboth told the community leaders.
The Speaker also pledged to follow up on a detailed report submitted by the Uganda High Commission to Kampala containing recommendations aimed at protecting Ugandans affected by the ongoing immigration challenges and xenophobic threats in South Africa.
At the meeting, Kibombo formally presented a petition on behalf of COUSA, an umbrella organisation representing registered Ugandan associations across all nine provinces of South Africa.
The petition highlighted the plight of hundreds of Ugandans facing possible arrest, detention and deportation ahead of a June 30, 2026, deadline requiring undocumented and irregular migrants to leave South Africa or face legal action.
According to Kibombo, many Ugandans are willing to return home voluntarily, but are trapped by documentation and financial challenges.
“I have listened carefully to the concerns of our people and the recommendations presented. Parliament will work closely with the Executive and all relevant government agencies to ensure actionable solutions are found. The welfare and protection of Ugandans abroad remains a priority,” Oboth told the community leaders.
The Speaker also pledged to follow up on a detailed report submitted by the Uganda High Commission to Kampala containing recommendations aimed at protecting Ugandans affected by the ongoing immigration challenges and xenophobic threats in South Africa.
At the meeting, Kibombo formally presented a petition on behalf of COUSA, an umbrella organisation representing registered Ugandan associations across all nine provinces of South Africa.
The petition highlighted the plight of hundreds of Ugandans facing possible arrest, detention and deportation ahead of a June 30, 2026, deadline requiring undocumented and irregular migrants to leave South Africa or face legal action.
According to Kibombo, many Ugandans are willing to return home voluntarily, but are trapped by documentation and financial challenges.
He noted that many have expired passports and visas, while others lost their travel documents and cannot afford replacements.
“Some Ugandan parents are also stranded with children born in South Africa who lack birth certificates and Ugandan travel documents, making it difficult for them to leave the country,” Kibombo said.
The community leaders further reported that many Ugandans fear arrest at airports and border points because of overstay penalties imposed by South African immigration authorities. “Others have been denied boarding due to incomplete documentation,” Kibombo said.
The petition also outlined severe financial hardships affecting the community. Kibombo disclosed that more than 60% of the affected Ugandans lost jobs due to the economic downturn and recurring xenophobic attacks.
“As a result, many cannot afford return air tickets, passport replacement fees, Emergency Travel Certificate charges, or immigration penalties,” he said.
The community leaders requested the Ugandan government to expedite the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates, deploy mobile consular teams to major provinces, fast-track registration of Ugandan children born in South Africa, and engage South African authorities to grant an amnesty period for voluntary departures.
They also appealed for the establishment of a humanitarian repatriation fund to assist vulnerable groups, including women with children, the elderly, the sick and destitute Ugandans who wish to return home.
Responding to the concerns, Oboth said the Government was exploring interventions to support affected citizens and would engage relevant ministries to ensure no Ugandan is left vulnerable.
More than 500,000 Ugandans living in the country are on alert amidst renewed anti-migrant demonstrations and vigilantism.
Earlier this week, Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru, convened a crisis meeting with Ugandan community leaders in Cape Town following reports of escalating xenophobic threats by anti-migrant vigilante groups.
Amoru urged Ugandans to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while cooperating with South African law enforcement agencies
“In case of safety challenges, please inform the nearest police and cooperate fully with the authorities by complying with their lawful instructions,” Amoru advised.
The hotspots of the latest anti-migrant sentiments are Johannesburg, Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, where foreign-owned businesses and migrant communities have reported intimidation and harassment.
South African authorities and human rights groups have expressed concern about the rising tensions and the potential for violence.
Over five countries, including Nigeria, have reportedly evacuated their nationals due to xenophobic fears.
“Some Ugandan parents are also stranded with children born in South Africa who lack birth certificates and Ugandan travel documents, making it difficult for them to leave the country,” Kibombo said.
The community leaders further reported that many Ugandans fear arrest at airports and border points because of overstay penalties imposed by South African immigration authorities. “Others have been denied boarding due to incomplete documentation,” Kibombo said.
The petition also outlined severe financial hardships affecting the community. Kibombo disclosed that more than 60% of the affected Ugandans lost jobs due to the economic downturn and recurring xenophobic attacks.
“As a result, many cannot afford return air tickets, passport replacement fees, Emergency Travel Certificate charges, or immigration penalties,” he said.
The community leaders requested the Ugandan government to expedite the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates, deploy mobile consular teams to major provinces, fast-track registration of Ugandan children born in South Africa, and engage South African authorities to grant an amnesty period for voluntary departures.
They also appealed for the establishment of a humanitarian repatriation fund to assist vulnerable groups, including women with children, the elderly, the sick and destitute Ugandans who wish to return home.
Responding to the concerns, Oboth said the Government was exploring interventions to support affected citizens and would engage relevant ministries to ensure no Ugandan is left vulnerable.
More than 500,000 Ugandans living in the country are on alert amidst renewed anti-migrant demonstrations and vigilantism.
Earlier this week, Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru, convened a crisis meeting with Ugandan community leaders in Cape Town following reports of escalating xenophobic threats by anti-migrant vigilante groups.
Amoru urged Ugandans to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while cooperating with South African law enforcement agencies
“In case of safety challenges, please inform the nearest police and cooperate fully with the authorities by complying with their lawful instructions,” Amoru advised.
The hotspots of the latest anti-migrant sentiments are Johannesburg, Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, where foreign-owned businesses and migrant communities have reported intimidation and harassment.
South African authorities and human rights groups have expressed concern about the rising tensions and the potential for violence.
Over five countries, including Nigeria, have reportedly evacuated their nationals due to xenophobic fears.