The president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has reported the start of a voluntary evacuation device for his nationals living in South Africa, after denouncing an escalation of xenophobic attacks, the most recent episode of which was the lynching of a Ugandan citizen yesterday in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal.
In a message disseminated on his official profiles, Museveni specified that, for the moment, 746 Ugandans have already submitted their application to join this operation "and it is to be expected that more people will register in the coming days".
The High Commission of Uganda in South Africa, based in Pretoria, estimates that at least 50,000 Ugandan citizens live in the southern country, having moved in search of better opportunities in Africa's most developed economy, despite South Africa enduring a national unemployment rate of 32%.
The South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, confirmed this week that groups of "vigilantes" have disseminated an ultimatum on social networks addressed to the Ugandan community, demanding they leave the country before the end of the month, and assured that his government will act to curb episodes of violence. "We will not tolerate any attempt to destabilize the country by anyone, whether through marches or in any other way," he stated.
The Ugandan head of state detailed that "the evacuation plan includes the registration of affected Ugandans in the different provinces, their transfer to safe gathering centers, the issuance of emergency travel documents when necessary, and coordination with the relevant immigration authorities to facilitate their departure from South Africa".
"Meanwhile, the Government of Uganda continues to dialogue with the Government of the Republic of South Africa on this matter to ensure the safety of Ugandan citizens who still reside there," the statement concludes.