PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — In a decisive response to the worsening climate of anti-immigration sentiment across South Africa, the government of Uganda has officially opened four dedicated evacuation centers to provide sanctuary and assistance to its nationals seeking repatriation.
The move was confirmed by Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru, who addressed the media regarding the deteriorating safety conditions facing Ugandans living and working in the region. The centers are designed to act as safe havens and processing points for Ugandans who have been disproportionately affected by recent surges in xenophobic rhetoric and the resulting insecurity.
High Commissioner Amoru emphasized that the safety and well-being of Ugandan citizens remain the top priority for the diplomatic mission. “We are monitoring the situation closely and have taken these necessary measures to ensure that our people are protected and, for those who wish to return home, that the repatriation process is handled with the utmost efficiency and safety,” Amoru stated.
The establishment of these four centers underscores the escalating regional concern regarding the treatment of foreign nationals in parts of South Africa. As authorities grapple with the social and economic tensions driving the current unrest, the Ugandan mission is prioritizing the organized evacuation of those who feel their lives and livelihoods are no longer secure.
While the government of Uganda works to facilitate these voluntary returns, the mission remains in active communication with South African authorities, urging continued restraint and calling for stronger assurances regarding the protection of all foreign residents. For many Ugandans, these centers now offer a vital lifeline out of an increasingly hostile environment as diplomatic efforts continue to address the broader challenges of migration and regional cohesion.
