ENTEBBE | A group of approximately 43 Ugandan students who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions has safely returned home, the government confirmed on Thursday evening.
The students, who were enrolled in various universities in Tehran and other Iranian cities, arrived at Entebbe International Airport following a complex, multi-country logistical operation led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF).
A Grueling Journey to Safety
The evacuation was triggered by rising hostilities in the Middle East, which led to airspace closures and made commercial travel increasingly unsafe. Under the leadership of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the coordination of Uganda’s Defence Advisor in Türkiye, Bob Ogiki, the mission involved a significant overland transit:
Tehran to Türkiye Border: The students first embarked on a 24-hour bus journey from the Iranian capital to the Gürbulak border post.
Transit through Türkiye: After crossing into Türkiye, the group was granted transit visas through swift diplomatic engagement. They then traveled another 18 hours by road to Istanbul.
Final Leg: From Istanbul Airport, the group boarded an Ethiopian Airlines flight, finally touching down in Uganda on Thursday.
Government Response and Coordination
The Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC) officially welcomed the group, praising the “well-coordinated” effort between diplomatic and defence officials.
“The successful evacuation and return mark a significant diplomatic and logistical effort by Ugandan authorities amid ongoing insecurity,” officials stated. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the mission involved close collaboration with Uganda’s embassies in the region and the Turkish government to ensure safe passage.
Relief for Families
The return marks the end of a stressful period for families in Uganda, who watched as the conflict disrupted daily life and academic pursuits for their children.
The government has encouraged any other Ugandan nationals still remaining in the affected region to register immediately with the nearest embassy for assistance. In recent years, Uganda has significantly strengthened its emergency response mechanisms to protect citizens abroad, particularly students and migrant workers caught in geopolitical crises.