KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the safe evacuation of 42 Ugandan nationals and two diplomatic staff from Iran, following the outbreak of open hostilities between Iran and Israel on June 13, 2025.
The evacuees, primarily university students, departed Tehran by road, enduring a gruelling four-day journey across multiple borders. They are expected to arrive in Istanbul, Turkey, by Thursday afternoon, where arrangements for their return to Uganda are being finalised.
According to Margaret Awino Kafeero, the Head of Public Diplomacy at the Ministry, the evacuation was complex due to the volatile security situation in the region, but successful due to close coordination between Ugandan authorities, regional governments, and diplomatic missions.
“We expect the evacuees to arrive by bus in Istanbul, where they will get a bit of rest as their flight details are finalized,” Ms Kafeero said during a press briefing. “They have been on the road from Tehran for almost four days. Exhausted as they are, they will need to keep moving.”
The evacuees were granted temporary entry into Türkiye on the understanding that they will depart within 10 days, under an arrangement secured by the Ugandan government with Turkish authorities.
The Ministry further acknowledged the support of Uganda’s missions in Tehran and Ankara, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for facilitating documentation, logistical support, and safe passage amid mounting regional instability.
This operation marks the latest in a series of emergency repatriations undertaken by Uganda in recent years to protect its citizens caught in global conflict zones, including previous evacuations from Sudan, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.
The Ministry confirmed that the group is in stable condition, despite the challenges faced during the evacuation. Some students reported that the journey involved passing through multiple checkpoints, restricted roads, and delays due to heavy military movement and security screenings across the region.
“The safety and well-being of Ugandans abroad is a top priority,” said Ms Kafeero. “This evacuation reflects our government’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens, even in the most difficult circumstances.”
Meanwhile, families of the evacuees in Uganda have expressed relief, though anxiety remains as they await the group’s arrival in Kampala. Arrangements are being made to receive and provide psychosocial support to the returnees, many of whom are said to be traumatised and fatigued from the ordeal.
The Iran-Israel conflict, which escalated into direct confrontation last week, has created significant uncertainty in the Middle East, triggering global concern over potential regional spillover. The fighting has also prompted other countries to begin emergency evacuations of their nationals.
Uganda joins a growing list of countries that have activated contingency evacuation plans for their citizens in conflict-affected territories, amid a broader call for de-escalation and international mediation.
As regional tension remains high, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised all Ugandan nationals currently residing in or travelling to conflict-prone countries to register with nearby embassies and maintain close communication with local authorities and the Ministry’s consular desk.
The evacuees are expected to board a government-arranged flight from Istanbul to Entebbe within the next few days, once all travel logistics and clearances are completed.
