KAMPALA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has completed the first phase of the voluntary repatriation of 1,102 of its nationals from South Africa amid ongoing xenophobic violence and anti-migrant protests.
The final chartered evacuation flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, carrying 219 evacuees, arrived at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 km south of the Ugandan capital of Kampala, on Thursday, according to the Ugandan Embassy in South Africa.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the embassy said, "The arrival marks the successful conclusion of phase one of the Government of Uganda's voluntary repatriation exercise, which has now seen 1,102 Ugandan nationals safely returned home through six evacuation flights coordinated between Uganda and South Africa."
According to the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the repatriation operation was carried out in coordination with the Uganda Peoples' Defense Forces, Uganda Airlines, the national carrier, and other partners, following President Yoweri Museveni's directive to protect Ugandan citizens affected by the unrest.
The government said the returnees will undergo a government-led training program at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute in central Uganda to equip them with the skills and mindset needed for successful reintegration into society. ■
