Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun evacuating nationals stranded in Iran and Israel following the outbreak of armed conflict between the two countries on June 13.
The war erupted after escalating tensions over regional influence, nuclear capability, and support for proxy groups. Israel and Iran have since shut their airspace, raising concerns for foreign nationals in both countries, including Ugandans.
In a statement issued on June 18, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, said the government was working with diplomatic missions and agencies in both nations to implement its evacuation plan.
“We have registered Ugandan students in Iran and received information on Ugandans stranded in Israel from parents, relatives, and other concerned citizens,” he said.
Bagiire confirmed that 48 Ugandan students were being evacuated safely from Tehran. He said the ministry had also contacted authorities in Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Jordan to allow Ugandans transiting through their territories to receive gratis visas on arrival.
“We have communicated to our embassies in the region, namely; Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where the evacuees may eventually end up, to offer the necessary consular support,” Bagiire said.
The embassies will deploy officers to receive the evacuees and support their return to Uganda. However, Bagiire cautioned that the operation faced logistical hurdles.
“Iran and Israel have both closed their airspace until further notice, and given the security situation and the dynamics on the ground, there are challenges and delays in securing the appropriate transport for all distressed Ugandans,” he noted.
He assured the public that government remained committed to ensuring safe and secure transportation out of the affected areas. For updates or to report stranded nationals, the public has been asked to contact the ministry through consular@mofa.go.ug.
