At least 42 Ugandan students who had been stranded in Iran following the onset of armed conflict between Iran and Israel have been rescued, the government has confirmed.
The operation was managed by the Uganda Embassy in Tehran, working closely with the Embassy in Ankara. An Emergency Evacuation Coordination Centre was established in Turkey to oversee the process, according to a statement from the ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Embassy in Tehran facilitated the safe evacuation of two diplomatic staff and 42 students to Turkey,” the statement said.
The effort was led by Ambassador Twaha Matata, Chargé d’Affaires with support from Oscar J. Edule (Minister Counsellor) and Agaba Mark (Financial Attaché).
The evacuees were transported by land, with Turkey granting emergency visas upon arrival to support the operation.
“On June 18, 2025, Mr Julius Malinga (Second Secretary), Ms. Zainah Nabirye from the Tehran Embassy, and Mr. Mubarak Daka from the Ankara Embassy received the group at the Bargarzan border. The evacuees were then moved to Istanbul, where they await a commercial chartered flight back to Uganda,” noted the statement.
The ministry noted that the coordination centre will remain operational until all Ugandans in Iran are safely repatriated.
“Efforts continue to register and support any remaining Ugandan nationals in Iran to ensure their safe return,” the statement said.
