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KYANKWANZI, Uganda — The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, has called upon Ugandans recently repatriated from South Africa to embrace government wealth creation and skills development programmes as they begin rebuilding their lives following a wave of xenophobic violence that forced them to return home.
Speaking during a visit to the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi on Friday, Hon. Kasolo reassured the returnees of government’s commitment to supporting their reintegration into society through economic empowerment, vocational training, and affordable financing initiatives.
According to the minister, 1,130 Ugandan nationals have so far returned under the government’s voluntary evacuation programme, with reintegration efforts continuing for those affected.
“I encouraged them to take advantage of initiatives aimed at skills development, wealth creation and access to affordable financing so they can successfully reintegrate into their communities and contribute to Uganda’s development,” Kasolo said.
The repatriation exercise followed escalating anti-migrant protests and xenophobic attacks in South Africa that targeted foreign nationals, including Ugandans. Businesses owned by migrants were reportedly looted or destroyed, while many individuals lost employment, property and livelihoods, prompting the Government of Uganda to organize a voluntary evacuation programme to safeguard its citizens.
Government officials say reintegration extends beyond transporting citizens home. It includes psychosocial support, entrepreneurship training, access to government development programmes, and community resettlement to enable returnees to regain economic independence.
Uganda’s wealth creation interventions, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme and skills development initiatives, are intended to promote household incomes, stimulate enterprise growth and reduce poverty among vulnerable communities. These programmes are expected to provide a foundation for returnees seeking to restart businesses or acquire new vocational skills.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), successful reintegration of returnees depends on sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion and access to essential public services, making government support crucial for long-term recovery.
The visit to Kyankwanzi underscores Uganda’s broader commitment to protecting its citizens abroad while ensuring that those returning home are equipped with the knowledge, resources and opportunities necessary to contribute productively to national development despite the hardships they endured.
