The government has launched a rehabilitation and reintegration programme for Ugandan nationals repatriated from South Africa following recent unrest and xenophobic attacks that targeted foreign nationals. The violence reportedly claimed the lives of at least three Ugandans and left many others displaced after losing their homes, businesses and jobs.
The returnees are currently undergoing psychosocial support, counselling and reintegration training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi before they are reunited with their families and communities.
The rehabilitation exercise continued on Monday after a fourth evacuation flight carrying 166 Ugandans from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, landed at Entebbe International Airport. The group was received by government officials led by Ambassador Dickens Ogwang before being transported to Kyankwanzi.
According to Uganda’s Ambassador to South Africa,Paul Amoru, the latest arrivals bring the total number of Ugandans voluntarily repatriated under the government evacuation programme to 730. So far, 266 Ugandans returned on the first flight, 32 on the second, 266 on the third and 166 on the fourth.
At NALI, returnees are receiving professional counselling and psychosocial support to help them recover from the emotional and psychological effects of the violence. Many were forced to abandon businesses, employment, homes and, in some cases, lost loved ones during the attacks.
Government officials say the rehabilitation programme is designed to address both the emotional and economic hardships faced by the returnees. It aims to restore confidence, help survivors cope with trauma and equip them for successful reintegration into their communities.
Leading the counselling sessions, Peter Baguma urged the returnees to remain optimistic despite the challenges they have experienced.
Although many of you have lost property and sources of income, you have not lost the opportunity to rebuild your lives,” Baguma said, emphasizing the importance of professional counselling in helping survivors overcome trauma and avoid long-term psychological effects.
The returnees were also officially welcomed home by Helen Seku, who conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Museveni and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting their recovery and reintegration.
Special attention is also being given to young adults and children born and raised in South Africa. For many, the evacuation marked their first visit to Uganda and their first opportunity to meet relatives in their ancestral homeland.
Officials noted that this group faces unique challenges as they adapt to a new cultural and social environment while recovering from the trauma of displacement.
Ambassador Ogwang announced that another group of Ugandans is expected to return next week, bringing the total number of repatriated nationals to approximately 1,000.
Government officials say the recent unrest in South Africa disproportionately affected foreign nationals, many of whom faced hostility linked to employment, business ownership and marriages involving South African citizens. The ongoing rehabilitation programme is expected to help the returnees rebuild their lives and successfully reintegrate into Ugandan society.
