Uganda Evacuates Students Home from Iran as Middle East Conflict Deepens

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, working alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have successfully pulled dozens of Ugandan students out of Iran after armed conflict between Iran and Israel forced the government to mount an emergency evacuation operation.

The students, who had been stranded in Tehran, were evacuated through Turkey, with Uganda’s Defence Advisor in that country, Major General Bob Ogiki, playing a central role in coordinating their safe passage.

The students arrived at Entebbe International Airport, where they were received by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who credited President Yoweri Museveni for acting quickly to bring them home. “The government took immediate action to ensure our citizens returned home safe and sound,” she said.

The road to safety was not easy. The evacuees departed Tehran by road on a journey that took four days and crossed multiple borders, with students reporting military checkpoints, restricted roads, and long delays caused by heavy security screenings along the route.

In total, 45 Ugandans including 42 students crossed into Turkey after a 42-hour bus journey, according to Twaha Magara Matata, the Charge D’Affaires at the Uganda Embassy in Tehran. Another 65 Ugandans, mostly students, remained behind in Iran, with officials saying they chose to stay.

The conflict between Iran and Israel broke out on June 13, 2025, prompting Uganda’s Embassy in Tehran to set up an emergency evacuation coordination centre in neighbouring Turkey, working in cooperation with the Embassy in Ankara. Turkey agreed to issue visas on arrival to the evacuees, allowing buses to be secured for the emergency exit. New Vision

With both Iran and Israel closing their airspace indefinitely, ground evacuations and visa negotiations became the primary means of getting people out, adding significant complexity to an already dangerous operation.

Among those who made it back, the relief was palpable. “The situation in Iran was terrifying, but we are grateful to everyone who made our evacuation possible,” said Isaac Nimwesiga, speaking on behalf of the returned students. Another returnee, Sarah Mayanja, noted that the government covered all costs. “We didn’t have to worry about anything. The government made sure we were secure every step of the way,” she said.

Back home, Uganda Airlines had already suspended its Dubai route, and the government issued a broad travel advisory urging all Ugandan citizens to halt travel to the Middle East until further notice, citing rapidly evolving security conditions and widespread airline disruptions across the region.

Ugandan authorities said they are continuing to identify and assist other nationals still in Iran, with coordination ongoing through diplomatic and defence channels, though the government has not disclosed how many Ugandans remain in the country.