The Ugandan government has brought home another group of citizens under its ongoing voluntary evacuation programme, with 166 Ugandans repatriated from South Africa on the latest flight.

The fourth evacuation flight arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Sunday, increasing the total number of Ugandans returned under the programme to 730.

The latest group travelled from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal as the government continued efforts to assist citizens affected by anti-migrant violence reported in parts of South Africa.

Government officials welcomed the returnees upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport. Ambassador Dickson Ogwang represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs during the reception.

Addressing the returnees, Ambassador Ogwang assured them that the government remained committed to supporting Ugandan citizens both at home and abroad.

“We reaffirm the Government’s steadfast commitment to the welfare of Ugandan citizens wherever they may be.”

He also reminded the returnees that they remained an important part of the country despite the difficult circumstances that had forced many of them to return home.

“You remain valued and integral members of the Ugandan family.”

The ambassador further encouraged those returning to remain optimistic as they began rebuilding their lives in Uganda.

“Remain hopeful and resilient as you begin rebuilding your lives.”

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the latest group followed three earlier evacuation flights that had already transported hundreds of Ugandan nationals back home.

The first evacuation flight returned 266 Ugandans. The second flight brought back 32 people. Another 266 citizens were repatriated on the third flight.

With the arrival of the fourth flight, the total number of Ugandans evacuated under the voluntary repatriation programme now stands at 730.

The evacuation programme was launched after attacks targeting Ugandan nationals and other foreign migrants were reported in parts of South Africa.

Government said the intervention also followed the deaths of three Ugandan nationals in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Officials further cited reports of physical attacks against Ugandans and other foreign migrants in the Western Cape and other provinces.

President Yoweri Museveni ordered the voluntary repatriation exercise. He directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to coordinate a whole-of-government response through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The operation is being coordinated by the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria under the leadership of Ambassador Paul Amoru.

The High Commission is working alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Airlines, South African authorities and Ugandan community leaders.

According to officials, the collaboration is intended to guarantee the safe, orderly and dignified return of Ugandans choosing to leave South Africa.

The continued evacuation highlights the government’s ongoing response to Ugandans caught up in the security situation abroad.

It also demonstrates coordination among several government institutions involved in transporting affected citizens back home.

Government has confirmed that additional evacuation flights have already been scheduled. The flights are intended to facilitate the return of all registered Ugandan nationals who wish to come back to Uganda.

Authorities have not disclosed how many additional flights will be required to complete the exercise. The total number of Ugandans still awaiting evacuation has also not been confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria has urged Ugandans who remain in South Africa to stay law-abiding.

The mission has also encouraged them to remain vigilant and continue observing previously issued safety advisories as authorities monitor the evolving security situation.

As the 166 Ugandans repatriated from South Africa join hundreds already returned under the voluntary repatriation programme, the government’s evacuation effort remains ongoing, with additional flights expected to bring home more registered citizens seeking to leave South Africa.