Uganda has successfully evacuated 43 of its students from Iran, following a sharp escalation in hostilities in the Middle East that has made the safety of Ugandan nationals in the region increasingly precarious.
According to military sources, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF, alongside the country’s diplomatic missions, facilitated the evacuation of the students who had been stranded in Tehran due to intensifying conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
The operation, coordinated through Uganda’s Defence Adviser in Türkiye, Major General Bob Ogiki, saw the safe removal of the students from Tehran and their movement into Turkey.
Authorities report that they are now being processed for onward return to Uganda.
In a security notice issued on February 28, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its concern over the volatile situation and urged all Ugandans still in Iran to take serious precautions and leave the country by any available means.
The government also announced the withdrawal of non-essential staff from its embassy in Tehran as a safety measure.
Uganda’s government has not yet disclosed how many nationals remain in Iran, but officials say continuous efforts are underway through diplomatic and defence channels to identify and assist anyone still at risk.
The current evacuation is part of broader precautionary measures following disruptions to international travel and heightened border controls across the Middle East, which have complicated movements out of the region.
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