The latest group arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Sunday aboard the fourth evacuation flight from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The evacuation programme was launched following attacks targeting Ugandan nationals and other foreign migrants in parts of South Africa.
The returnees were received by government officials led by Ambassador Dickson Ogwang, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the airport.
Ambassador Ogwang reassured the returnees of the government's continued support as they begin rebuilding their lives.
"We reaffirm the Government's steadfast commitment to the welfare of Ugandan citizens wherever they may be," Ambassador Ogwang said.
He added:
"You remain valued and integral members of the Ugandan family."
The ambassador also encouraged the returnees to remain optimistic as they begin a new chapter back home.
"Remain hopeful and resilient as you begin rebuilding your lives," he said.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the latest flight follows the successful return of 266 Ugandans on the first evacuation flight, 32 on the second, and another 266 on the third, bringing the total number of evacuees to 730.
The voluntary repatriation exercise was ordered by President Yoweri Museveni, who directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to coordinate a whole-of-government response through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following an escalation of violence against Ugandan nationals in parts of South Africa.
Government said the intervention followed the deaths of three Ugandan nationals in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as reported physical attacks against Ugandans and other foreign migrants in the Western Cape and other provinces.
The Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, led by Ambassador Paul Amoru, is coordinating the evacuation alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Airlines, South African authorities and Ugandan community leaders.
Officials said the multi-agency collaboration is intended to ensure the safe, orderly and dignified return of affected Ugandans while demonstrating the continued cooperation between Uganda and South Africa.
The government said additional evacuation flights have already been scheduled to facilitate the return of all registered Ugandan nationals who wish to come home.
Meanwhile, the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria has urged Ugandans still residing in South Africa to remain law-abiding, stay vigilant and continue observing all previously issued safety advisories as authorities closely monitor the evolving security situation.