The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, has held urgent consultations with the Charge d’Affaires of the South African High Commission to Uganda, Mr. Kagiso Mosoane, over the escalating anti-migrant violence in South Africa that has displaced many foreign nationals, including Ugandans.
During the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Kasolo expressed the Government of Uganda’s deep concern over the attacks targeting foreign nationals, including reports of the deaths of two Ugandan citizens in recent days. He called on South African authorities to take decisive action to protect lives and prevent further attacks on Ugandans.
The Minister urged the South African government to ensure the safety of Ugandan nationals and facilitate their secure movement to designated assembly centres for documentation and possible evacuation.
He also noted that although vigilante groups claim to be targeting undocumented migrants, the Ministry has received credible reports of intimidation and threats against Ugandans who are legally living and working in South Africa. Hon. Kasolo emphasised that verifying immigration status is the responsibility of official law enforcement agencies and not non-state actors.
In response, Mr. Mosoane assured Uganda that South African authorities have deployed security personnel across the country to guarantee the safe passage of foreign nationals seeking to leave affected areas.
The two officials also reaffirmed the importance of continued bilateral engagement, including consultations on the legal status and procedural safeguards for Ugandan nationals detained in South Africa over visa overstays and other immigration-related offences.
