Relief and emotion filled the air on Thursday evening as 43 Ugandan students evacuated from the Islamic Republic of Iran safely touched down at Entebbe International Airport, ending a tense journey triggered by escalating tensions in the region.
The evacuation was coordinated under the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, working closely with Uganda’s Defence Advisor in Türkiye, Bob Ogiki.
The students were first moved out of Tehran, embarking on a grueling 24-hour road journey to the Gürbulak Border Gate. From there, the Government of Türkiye facilitated their safe transit into the country.
After reaching Türkiye, the group continued to Istanbul, where they boarded an Ethiopian Airlines flight back to Uganda.
Officials say the operation, which began on March 3, was launched as hostilities between Israel and Iran intensified, raising concerns for the safety of foreign nationals.
The successful return marks the first phase of Uganda’s evacuation plan, bringing home nearly 40% of the 111 Ugandan students who had been studying in Iran. Government updates indicate another group of 53 students is expected to return soon.
Authorities credited the smooth operation to swift coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, and partners in Türkiye.
For families waiting anxiously back home, the arrival at Entebbe brought one thing above all—relief.