PHOTOS: 273 Ugandans Return From South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

A dramatic rescue mission ordered by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni kicked off in the early hours of the morning as the first batch of 273 Ugandans fleeing South Africa’s wave of xenophobic violence and insecurity landed safely at Entebbe International Airport.

The Ugandans touched down at 2:00 a.m. aboard a special Uganda Airlines charter flight fully paid for by the Government of Uganda, after Museveni directed authorities to ensure citizens affected by the crisis are brought back home safely.

The midnight operation, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda’s Embassy in South Africa and other agencies, marked the first phase of the mass evacuation exercise.

More than 800 desperate Ugandans have already registered for voluntary repatriation, with more rescue flights expected in the coming days as Kampala races to bring home citizens seeking to escape the escalating insecurity.

Government says no Ugandan will be abandoned abroad, reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens wherever they are and supporting all those wishing to return home.