Government Set To Resume Repatriation Of Ugandans Stranded Abroad

The government of Uganda is set to resume the repatriation of Ugandans that have been stranded in outside countries following a COVID-19 lockdown.

This follows a two-week break that was aimed at freeing up space in the gazetted quarantine centers.

According to the minister of state for foreign affairs Henry Okello Oryem, some of the people in quarantine centers will be cleared to leave the premises, thus creating room for others.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Wednesday saying that the exercise will be resuming on July 18.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that the repatriation exercise of Ugandans stranded abroad due to Covid-19 pandemic is set to resume,” the statement reads in part.

“Additional repatriation flights will be indicated in the due course,” the adds.

Government recently said all returnees must indicate to the responsible embassies their choice of facility in Uganda where they would be quarantined for 14 days after returning.

Dr Richard Mugahi, the head of COVID-19 quarantine response at the health ministry says Uganda has repatriated a total of 1,295 citizens from various countries, since the exercise began on June 23. 

A total of 22 people who returned tested positive for COVID-19. These included 20 Ugandans from Afghanistan and two from South Africa. 

A total of 200 people who were under quarantine have been cleared and, if the status quo remains (no positives), Mugahi said they will discharge 70% of the people who are nearing completion of their 14-day mandatory quarantine.

After the global outbreak of COVID-19, travel restriction measures left a number of Ugandans stuck abroad. However, the Government later took a decision to evacuate Ugandans from some hard-hit countries in a phased manner.