At least a total of 1,030 Ugandans repatriated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks are undergoing a remarkable transformation at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi, where government officials say the returnees are rediscovering hope, patriotism, and confidence in rebuilding their lives back home.
The Commissioner for the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) at State House, Ms. Hellen Seku, says the rehabilitation and ideological orientation program has exceeded expectations, with many participants now viewing Uganda as the best place to invest their skills and secure their future.
According to Ms. Seku, out of the 1,030 Ugandans currently enrolled in the program, 438 are men, 261-women, and 331 children aged between zero and 16 years. The group was repatriated after abandoning businesses, jobs, and homes following a wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
Speaking during one of the training sessions at Kyankwanzi, Ms. Seku revealed that the program has attracted attention from hundreds of other Ugandans who returned independently from South Africa and now wish to benefit from the same ideological training.
“I have received countless calls from Ugandans who returned on their own and now want to join this program because they are seeing the positive transformation of their colleagues on social media,” Ms. Seku said.
She noted that many callers have been requesting to be included in future training cohorts after witnessing videos and testimonies shared by participants currently at Kyankwanzi.
Now in its second week, the program focuses on patriotism, national identity, economic empowerment, and leadership.
Ms. Seku said many participants arrived feeling hopeless, traumatized, and uncertain about their future after losing livelihoods built over several years in South Africa. However, she said the intensive orientation has significantly changed their outlook.
“The way they came is not the way they are today. They now appreciate their country. Many have realised they were ignorant about Uganda’s opportunities, wealth, and economic potential. They now believe Uganda is the best country to live in.”
She described President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to facilitate the repatriation as an expression of compassion and national responsibility.
“We thank His Excellency for his fatherly heart and for giving these Ugandans another opportunity to rebuild their lives.”
Ms. Seku also praised Mulago National Referral Hospital and other government health facilities for supporting returnees requiring specialised medical attention. She disclosed that some returnees arrived in poor health, while others suffered severe psychological distress and were unable to remember even their home districts.
“We have had several medical cases. We thank Dr. Rose Byanyima and the entire Mulago team for providing exceptional care. We also appreciate Kiboga Hospital and other facilities that have attended to our people,” Ms. Seku said.
One unique challenge facing organisers has been caring for hundreds of children who accompanied their parents. Commissioner Seku said they have established a temporary nursery at Kyankwanzi to ensure parents participate fully in classroom sessions.
“We created a temporary nursery where the children are looked after while their parents attend classes. It has enabled mothers and fathers to concentrate on the training.”
Expanding Africa’s Market:
Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilisation, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, one of the guest lecturers at the program, condemned xenophobic violence, warning that such actions undermine Africa’s collective economic progress.
Mr. Byaruhanga stressed that the South African government should continue discouraging xenophobia while African countries deepen regional trade and economic integration.
He observed that unemployment remains one of the major drivers of hostility toward foreign nationals.
“We need to expand markets across Africa so that industries create more jobs. If Africa becomes one common market, everyone stands to benefit.”
Drawing comparisons with China, Mr. Byaruhanga said Africa’s population of more than 1.4 billion people presents enormous economic opportunities if countries embrace free movement of goods, services, and people.
“China has a population similar to Africa’s, yet it functions as one market. Why can’t Africa do the same? A united African market would create jobs for South Africans, Ugandans, Nigerians, and everyone else.”
Mr. Byaruhanga assured the returnees that the government has already begun designing economic interventions to help them restart their lives.
He explained that although many may not qualify for the Parish Development Model because of program requirements, alternative financing mechanisms already exist.
The government plans to organise the returnees into enterprise groups according to their skills before extending seed capital through existing government financing schemes.
“The government has money. Our biggest challenge has never been a lack of funds but poor organisation. Once these returnees organise themselves into productive groups, we shall support them,” Byaruhanga said.
He said Commissioner Seku will coordinate the formation of groups based on viable economic activities before funding is released.
The initiative, he added, is expected to encourage more Ugandans abroad to return home and invest locally.
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties and Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, also addressed the returnees, highlighting Uganda’s long-term economic strategy.
Mr. Rwabwogo explained that Uganda intends to significantly increase exports by promoting value addition, industrialization, and affordable energy.
He said the government aims to strengthen manufacturing by providing cheaper electricity and expanding agro-processing industries.
“We want farmers to earn more by processing and packaging agricultural products before exporting them to international markets,” he said.
Using fish farming as an example, Mr. Rwabwogo said Uganda possesses enormous untapped potential capable of generating hundreds of thousands of jobs.
He noted that despite having over 42,000 square kilometers of fresh water, Uganda currently produces only about 130,000 metric tons of fish annually, far below its capacity.
By comparison, he said Egypt, with far fewer freshwater resources, produces nearly one million metric tonnes of fish every year and earns billions of dollars.
“We can create over 200,000 jobs very quickly through fish farming, feed production, maize growing, soybean cultivation, and processing industries.”
Mr. Rwabwogo emphasised that sustainable economic transformation requires both knowledge and political stability. He urged the returnees to understand how societies develop from subsistence economies to industrialised nations through innovation, discipline, and education.
“Countries develop because people understand how economies grow. Knowledge changes societies.”
He further appealed to Ugandans to respect the rule of law and avoid divisive politics.
“The country must remain peaceful and stable. Investors come where there is stability, and stability creates opportunities for everyone.”
Addressing the emotional trauma experienced by many returnees, Mr. Rwabwogo encouraged them not to allow the painful experiences in South Africa to define their future. Instead, he urged them to view the setback as an opportunity to rebuild stronger lives in Uganda.
“What does not kill you makes you stronger. They have gone through a painful experience, but Uganda offers them another chance.”
He argued that lasting national unity is achieved when citizens share economic prosperity.
“The strongest unity is built around shared prosperity. When people benefit economically, they protect what they have built together.”
As the training nears completion, come Friday, July 17th 2026, Commissioner Seku says the success of the initiative has inspired many other Ugandans still stranded abroad to seek voluntary return.
