Three Ugandans Killed as Anti-Migrant Violence Spreads in South Africa

The Ugandan government has confirmed that at least three of its citizens have been killed in South Africa following a wave of anti-migrant violence that has spread across multiple provinces.

The announcement was made by acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Haruna Kasolo during the arrival of the first group of 273 evacuees at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday night. The returnees were flown in on a Uganda Airlines chartered evacuation flight.

Kasolo said the government was saddened by the deaths and had already started procedures to bring back the bodies of the deceased for burial in Uganda.

He identified one of the victims as Wilbert Nuwamanya, who was killed in KwaZulu-Natal Province. A second Ugandan was killed in Cape Town, while a third death has also been confirmed, though authorities have not yet established the identity of that victim.

Officials say investigations and documentation are still ongoing to verify full details surrounding the deaths.

The evacuees who arrived in Uganda described chaotic scenes in South Africa, saying they were forced to flee during violent protests that targeted foreign nationals and their businesses. Many said they left everything behind and escaped with only what they were wearing.

The evacuation was ordered by President Yoweri Museveni after reports of escalating attacks on migrants prompted urgent diplomatic and security action.

Government agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister, security organs, and Uganda’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria coordinated the operation together with Ugandan community leaders in South Africa. The state fully financed the evacuation flights operated by Uganda Airlines.

Kasolo said the operation demonstrates government’s responsibility to protect Ugandans wherever they are in the world, adding that further coordination with diaspora leaders made the mission possible.

He also revealed that arrangements are being made for the returnees to meet President Museveni upon stabilization of the evacuation process.

Government officials assured the evacuees that support systems will be put in place to help them resettle and restart their lives in Uganda after losing property and livelihoods in the unrest.

Uganda’s Ambassador to South Africa, Paul Amoru, said many of those returning had suffered major losses, including destruction of homes, businesses, and personal belongings.

Leaders of the Ugandan community in Southern Africa praised the evacuation effort, crediting cooperation between government agencies and security forces for enabling the rescue operation.

The violence in South Africa has led to one of the largest evacuation exercises involving Ugandans in recent years, with more flights expected as more citizens are brought back home.

South African authorities have arrested hundreds of people linked to protests that escalated into looting and attacks on foreign-owned businesses in several provinces. While some demonstrations remained peaceful, others turned violent, resulting in deaths and widespread destruction.

The unrest has reignited long-standing concerns over xenophobic violence in the country, which has periodically affected migrants from across Africa.

Several African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, have also begun evacuation and diplomatic response measures, with some calling for compensation and investigations into losses and deaths during the unrest.

Ugandan officials say additional evacuation flights are expected to arrive in Entebbe as efforts continue to bring home remaining citizens caught up in the violence.