Ugandans stranded in UK, Ireland asked to register

COVID-19 

KAMPALA - All Ugandans stranded in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland due to COVID-19 have been asked to register with the Uganda High Commission in London.

"The Uganda High Commission, London, is seeking to register and verify stranded Ugandan nationals who are currently stranded in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, are not able to return home," a statement from Uganda's High Commission in the UK said.

Uganda's High Commission said such individuals may include students who have completed their studies and short-term visitors of all categories.  However, "this exercise does not include Ugandans who already have settled status in the UK and Ireland."

The Ugandans were asked to submit; their current UK/Ireland address and telephone contact, copy of the bio-data page of their passport, scanned page of the relevant UK/Ireland visa, and copy of their return ticket where available. The details are supposed to be sent by e-mail to admin@ugandahighcommission.co.uk by April 20.

Ugandans who have died in the UK

At least 10 Ugandans have died of COVID-19 in the UK. They Include; Dr. Eric Labeja-Acellam, 75, a medical consultant, who was working with Lewisham University hospital in the UK.

Besides Labeja-Acellam, Margaret Ssali, the wife of the late Prof. Charles Ssali, also died in Kent, UK of COVID-19. Prof. Ssali was the first ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) specialist in Uganda.

Earlier on March 29, Pastor Charles Paddy Kayiwa died of COVID-19. Pastor Kayiwa was the lead pastor of Alpha & Omega Ministries - UK Charlton.

Other Ugandans that have died of the pandemic include; Sarah Acheng, Boniface Okee, Susan Onyac, Gertrude Lukeca, Jane Kobong, Nancy Kigozi, Erina Zikusooka.

Other embassies asked to register

The development comes at a time when several other Ugandan embassies abroad have also asked Ugandans stranded over COVID-19 to register.

Besides Ugandans in the UK and Ireland, New Vision has seen letters where those in Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea have also been asked to register.

According to communiques from different Ugandan embassies abroad, the exercise is aimed at helping the government to prepare for the evacuation of Ugandans from those countries once international travel resumes.

The registration of Ugandans followed a directive from Uganda's Foreign Affairs Ministry to all embassies abroad to send the details of Ugandans for further management until the Ugandan government communicates a concrete decision.

On March 21, President Yoweri Museveni announced the suspension of passenger flights to Entebbe airport as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19.