By Emma Belinda Were
The arrival of the first batch of Ugandans from South Africa today, 1 July 2026, will mark a significant milestone in the Government of Uganda’s response to the recent wave of xenophobic attacks.
When the history of Uganda’s response to crises affecting its citizens abroad is written, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to evacuate Ugandans caught up in the violence in South Africa will stand out as an example of decisive leadership.
Additionally, the decision to charter Uganda’s national airline to safely return hundreds of Ugandan nationals is a powerful statement that every Ugandan matters, regardless of where they live or work. With fear, uncertainty and violence gripping sections of South Africa, the government’s intervention sends a reassuring message that Uganda will not abandon its people in times of danger.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 1,000 Ugandans registered for voluntary evacuation after months of escalating anti-migrant attacks.
The evacuation plan, coordinated by several government agencies together with the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, includes transportation to assembly centres, emergency travel documentation where necessary, and government-funded Uganda Airlines chartered flights. Tragically, one Ugandan lost his life during the attacks in KwaZulu-Natal Province, making the urgency of the operation even more apparent.
Governments are ultimately judged not only by the infrastructure they build or the policies they formulate but also by how they protect their citizens during moments of vulnerability.
President Museveni’s directive demonstrates that diplomacy is not merely about maintaining cordial relations between states but is equally about safeguarding the lives and dignity of nationals wherever they may be.
South Africa has long been a destination for thousands of African migrants seeking education, employment and business opportunities. Ugandans, like many other Africans, have contributed to the country’s economy as entrepreneurs, professionals, students and workers. Ironically, many of these migrants help create jobs, pay taxes and stimulate local commerce.
South Africa has, however, periodically experienced waves of xenophobic violence stretching back nearly two decades. Foreign-owned businesses are often looted, homes attacked and migrants subjected to intimidation.
While migrants from several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Ghana and many others, have been affected, the recent violence undermines the very ideals of African unity and solidarity that inspired the continent’s liberation struggles.
Responsibility for many of the recent attacks has largely been attributed to anti-immigrant vigilante movements and community mobilisation groups.
Among the most prominent are Operation Dudula, which campaigns against undocumented migrants and foreign-owned businesses, and the March and March movement, which reportedly issued ultimatums demanding that foreign nationals leave certain communities.
Although these groups argue that they are responding to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services, critics accuse them of promoting xenophobia, intimidation and collective punishment against migrants.
The South African government has consistently maintained that its official policy rejects xenophobia. President Cyril Ramaphosa and successive administrations have repeatedly condemned attacks on foreign nationals, affirming that violence against migrants has no place in South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
Authorities have insisted that criminal acts should not be attributed to nationality and have deployed police to restore order in affected areas while investigating those responsible. At the same time, government officials have acknowledged legitimate public concerns over illegal immigration and have pledged to strengthen immigration enforcement.
This distinction is important. While organised vigilante groups may claim to speak on behalf of ordinary South Africans, they do not represent the country’s constitutional values or the overwhelming majority of its people, many of whom continue to welcome and work alongside fellow Africans every day.
Uganda’s response should therefore not be interpreted as an indictment of South Africa. Rather, it is an affirmation of Uganda’s constitutional duty to protect its citizens while maintaining strong diplomatic engagement with Pretoria.
The Government of Uganda rightly continues to engage South African authorities to ensure the safety of Ugandans even as evacuation efforts proceed.
This evacuation operation also highlights the growing strategic value of Uganda Airlines. Beyond connecting destinations and promoting tourism, the national carrier is serving as an instrument of national resilience, capable of responding rapidly during emergencies involving Ugandans abroad.
The ability to organise charter flights at short notice underscores why national aviation assets remain important even beyond commercial considerations.
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions an integrated continent where Africans can move, trade and work freely across borders. Xenophobic violence is fundamentally incompatible with that vision.
If Africa is to realise the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area, labour mobility and regional integration, governments must collectively reject discrimination against fellow Africans and strengthen protection for migrant communities.
President Museveni’s prompt intervention deserves commendation because it reflects the essence of responsible governance. At a time when many Ugandan families are anxiously waiting for news from South Africa, the government’s response has offered reassurance, hope and tangible assistance.
Ultimately, the safe return of Ugandans is not simply an evacuation story. It is a reminder that citizenship carries with it the expectation of protection wherever one may be. In moments of crisis, governments reveal their true priorities.
President Museveni’s response demonstrates that the welfare of Ugandans remains at the centre of his leadership.
