By Alexander Mackey Okori
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a coordinated emergency plan to evacuate Ugandan citizens stranded in the Republic Islamic State of Iran and the State Israel as armed conflict between the two countries intensifies.
The conflict between the two states broke out on June 13, 2025.
Since then both countries have been launching long-range attacks on strategic targets over the past week.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 18, 2026, through X handle formerly Twitter, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vincent Bagire Waiswa, said the government is working closely with its diplomatic missions and relevant government agencies in both conflict zones.
“The ministry has successfully registered Ugandan students in Iran using reports received from concerned relatives and other parties. So far 48 Ugandan students are currently being evacuated from Tehran, Iran’s capital,” reads the statement in part.
Approximately 500 Ugandans live in Israel, including students and businesspeople.
To facilitate the smooth evacuation process, Waiswa said the government has engaged with neighboring countries, including Iran and Israel, Turkiye,Azerbaijan, and Jordan.
According to Waiswa, government has requested these nations to provide gratis (free) visas upon arrival for evacuating Ugandans, easing their transit back home.
He said that government has also instructed its embassies in Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to prepare comprehensive consular support for any individuals who might pass through those countries.
“These missions will also deploy dedicated officers to receive the arriving nationals and arrange for their safe onward journey back to Uganda, said Waiswa”.
Despite these proactive measures, the Ministry acknowledged logistical challenges.
Though both Iran and Israel have imposed airspace closures, and the volatile security situation in the region is considerably delaying the arrangement of reliable transport for stranded Ugandans, Waiswa said “the Ministry is doing everything within its means to ensure all stranded Ugandan nationals are accorded safe and secure transportation out of the affected areas”.
The public is being urged to channel all inquiries and information regarding Ugandan citizens who are stranded in either Israel or Iran to the consular services via email at consular@mofa.go.ug.
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