Only two Ugandans are known to be still trapped in Afghanistan awaiting evacuation following government takeover by Taliban militants last week -Foreign Affairs ministry has stated.
In a statement tabled in parliament today, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon John Mulimba told legislators that the Gender and Labour ministry confirmed that none of the externalized Ugandan nationals remained in Afghanistan since their evacuation last year. The minister also noted that Ugandan nationals working with UN systems in Afghanistan were evacuated and taken to third countries while ten others had been taken on flights to London- United Kingdom.
The minister however stated that currently, only two Ugandans are in the Afghan capital of Kabul and arrangements are ongoing to repartriate them. Those who were evacuated are undergoing the 14-day quarantine and they will thereafter travel to Uganda -according to the minister.
The statement from the minister follows a concern which was raised by Buliisa District Woman MP Hon Norah Bigirwa last week, over the fate of Ugandans stranded in Afghanistan following the upsurge of violence in that country. Legislators also demanded that government tables an evacuation plan for Ugandan nationals trapped in Afghanistan, and a status update on the situation of Ugandan traders in South Sudan.
Norah Bigirwa said she had information that hundreds of Ugandans were stranded in Afghanistan where they had gone as migrant workers. Legislators were concerned the lives of Ugandans were at risk yet government was planning to receive Afghan refugees fleeing chaos there.
Today, the Ugandan Government confirmed the arrival of the first batch of Afghan refugees including Women, Men and Children -51 in total.
In the statement, the minister notes that the decision by the Ugandan government to host Afghan refugees is informed and consistent with the country’s policy of receiving refugees and persons in distress as well as playing it’s responsible role in the international community.
