By The Uganda Embassy in Tehran has successfully evacuated 42 Ugandan students and two diplomatic staff to Turkey, following the outbreak of armed conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel on June 13.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation was coordinated through an Emergency Evacuation Coordination Centre established in Turkey, where the Uganda Embassy in Ankara is working in close collaboration with the embassy in Tehran and the Ministry’s headquarters in Kampala.
The centre, led by Ambassador Twaha Matata, Charge d’Affaires a.i., is supported by Mr. Oscar J. Edule, Minister Counsellor, and Mr. Agaba Mark, Financial Attaché. It remains operational and will continue its work until all Ugandan nationals in Iran have been safely repatriated.
The evacuated group was received at the Bargarzan border crossing on Wednesday, June 18, by Mr. Julius Malinga, Second Secretary; Ms. Zainah Nabirye, from the Uganda Embassy in Tehran; and Mr. Mubarak Daka, representing the Uganda Embassy in Ankara. The evacuees were later transferred to Istanbul, from where they are expected to board a commercial chartered flight back to Uganda.
The Government of Turkey granted emergency visas on arrival, enabling swift transit for the evacuees as part of the coordinated humanitarian response.
Uganda’s diplomatic teams continue to register and support other nationals still within Iranian territory. Families and individuals with information regarding Ugandans who may still be stranded in Iran are encouraged to reach out to the coordination centre through the following contacts:
- Amb. Twaha Matata, Charge d’Affaires a.i: +256 772 594096
- Mr. Oscar Edule, Minister Counsellor: +256 702 020277
- Mr. Julius Malinga, Second Secretary: +256 782 572879
- Email: tehran@mofa.go.ug
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and well-being of Ugandan citizens abroad and thanked the Government of Turkey for its cooperation and support in the ongoing operation.
