Uganda has started a process of evacuating its citizens in Iran and Israel following the on going fighting . The Ministry of Foreign in a statement said that among those to be evacuated include students and working citizens.
An air of pent up relief and euphoria filled the air in Aksarai, Fati District of Istanbul on the European side of Türkiye as a busload of 45 Ugandans, evacuated from Tehran, pulled up to the All Seasons Hotel, where they will stay during their transit before finally traveling to Uganda.
The government began by registering students in Iran and collecting details of those in Israel through community contacts.
So far, 48 Ugandan students in Tehran are being evacuated after talks with Iranian authorities. Uganda is also working with neighbouring countries such as Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Jordan, which have agreed to receive the evacuees without asking for entry visas.
Ugandan embassies in Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are offering consular support. They are helping with travel and providing shelter as arrangements are made for the return journey.
Travel out of both Iran and Israel remains difficult because their airspace is closed. The Ministry has said it is trying to find safe routes despite these problems.
The evacuation is being handled by teams in Kampala and abroad. Families needing help or information can contact the Ministry through the email: consular@mofa.go.ug.
