The Ugandan government has commenced the evacuation of its nationals stranded in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, following the outbreak of armed conflict between the two nations on 13 June.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is working closely with accredited diplomatic missions and relevant government agencies to ensure the safe and secure evacuation of citizens from affected areas.
“We have engaged the relevant authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran to guarantee the safe passage of our nationals. We are pleased to report that 48 Ugandan students are currently being evacuated from Tehran,” said Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry.
The Ministry also acknowledged receiving distress reports from Ugandans in Israel, with concerned parents, relatives, and community members alerting authorities to the unfolding situation. However, the ongoing closure of Israeli airspace has posed significant challenges, prompting efforts to arrange exit routes through neighbouring countries.
The conflict, which erupted into open hostilities on 13 June, has seen missile and drone strikes exchanged between Iran and Israel, targeting strategic installations. One notable incident involved an Iranian missile hitting Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science, heightening fears of a broader regional war.
The closure of airports and seaports in both countries has severely disrupted civilian movement and triggered large-scale evacuations.
While Uganda does not have embassies in Tehran or Tel Aviv, it is coordinating evacuation efforts through its missions in Cairo, Riyadh, Ankara, and Doha, which have become critical logistical hubs. The government has also reached out to Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Jordan, requesting that Ugandan evacuees be granted visa-free entry upon arrival.
In parallel, Uganda’s embassies in Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have been directed to provide consular assistance to evacuees in transit and to support the repatriation process.
Diplomatic staff will be deployed to key entry points in these countries to receive Ugandan nationals and facilitate their safe return home.
Despite these coordinated efforts, the Ministry cautioned that volatile security conditions and restricted travel corridors—particularly the closure of Iranian and Israeli airspaces—may cause delays in securing transportation for evacuees.
