The Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has received hundreds of Ugandan nationals returning from South Africa and immediately enrolled them into an intensive two-week patriotism training programme to spearhead their domestic reintegration.
The returnees, who fled severe anti-migrant protests and xenophobic violence, arrived at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
A total of 815 have been successfully returned to Uganda and about 1,200 Ugandans had already registered for repatriation from South Africa.
Addressing the large gathering, Hon. Barugahara revealed that the state-led emergency rescue operation successfully transcended domestic political divisions to protect vulnerable citizens abroad.
"Among the returnees are several NUP supporters who said they now have a deeper appreciation of Mzee’s leadership and the government’s efforts to protect Ugandans wherever they may be," Hon. Barugahara stated.
The minister was joined at the Kyankwanzi reception by the Commissioner for Patriotism, Ms. Hellen Seku, and the NALI Commandant, Col. Rukogota, to officially open the orientation drive.
The structural training program aims to culturally re-align and economically empower the displaced nationals following the traumatic destruction of their foreign livelihoods.
The emergency development occurred after the Government of Uganda successfully evacuated a third group of 255 Ugandan nationals from South Africa.
The cohort arrived at Entebbe International Airport aboard state-backed transport operations.
Foreign Service Officer Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul received the returning group on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Ogwang praised the strategic intervention of President Yoweri K. Museveni and the robust inter-agency planning of the armed forces.
"This is a true display of inter-agency collaboration at its finest, where diplomacy needs defence to protect citizens on the frontline," Ambassador Ogwang noted.
The high-stakes rescue mission combined diplomatic logistics with strategic military planning executed by the Special Forces Command (SFC) and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
The operational team included the Deputy Operations Commander of the SFC, Lt Col Frank Murema, and Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Paul Amoru.
The Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi, represented the Office of the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, during the airport reception.
Col Magezi warned that many more citizens remain in hiding across South Africa and urged them to register immediately for subsequent flights.
"I urge other Ugandans who are still there to come back home because our country’s economy is growing," Col Magezi advised.
The President General of the Confederation of Uganda in Southern Africa (COUSA), Mr. Moses Kibombo Ssentongo, confirmed that 1,200 Ugandans have already registered for emergency repatriation.
The General Secretary of COUSA, Mr. Ashraf Kwiri, noted that the xenophobic attacks crippled professionals and traders alike.
"On our register we had teachers, mechanics, doctors, hairdressers and businessmen who have all lost their jobs and property," Kwiri explained.
The reception ceremony was also attended by the Director of the Political Commissariat at the Special Forces Command, Col. Moses Musinguzi.
