A fresh lifeline is on the way for Ugandans repatriated from South Africa after President Yoweri Museveni announced that each returnee will receive UGX 2 million in cash to support their reintegration into life back home.
The beneficiaries are among more than 1,000 Ugandans who were evacuated from South Africa after anti-immigrant violence forced many to flee, leaving behind businesses, employment and personal belongings. Government has since housed the returnees at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, where they underwent counselling, ideological orientation and skills development before returning to their communities.
The financial support is expected to provide immediate relief as the returnees begin rebuilding their livelihoods. Officials have also said the government is linking the returnees to wealth-creation and employment programmes, while some with specialized skills could be considered for recruitment into the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) as part of broader reintegration efforts.
The repatriation exercise followed a series of xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa that claimed the lives of several foreign nationals, including Ugandans. In response, the Government of Uganda organized special evacuation flights to bring stranded citizens home, with hundreds arriving in successive batches through Entebbe International Airport.
Beyond the emergency cash support, government agencies have been facilitating the issuance of National Identity Cards, psychosocial support and access to economic empowerment programmes aimed at helping the returnees regain financial independence and successfully reintegrate into Ugandan society.