The second batch of Ugandan Nationals stranded in Saudi Arabia has been successfully repatriated.

A total number of 382 Ugandans mostly migrant workers and students were repatriated today aboard a Saudi Arabian Airlines special flight no SV 3459 which departed King Khalid International Airport at 03:45 hrs and expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport at 8:15 pm this evening.

This repatriation was initiated by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and facilitated by the Uganda Embassy in Riyadh and other authorities in Uganda such as the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health and Works and Transport.

Given the high numbers of stranded Ugandans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries of accreditation under Uganda Embassy Riyadh, similar arrangements are being worked out to have more Ugandans repatriated.

To date a total of 557 Ugandans stranded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been repatriated out of 1800 Ugandan who have registered with the Embassy from all its countries of accreditation.

107 return from Benelux, Europe

Meanwhile, the Uganda Embassy in Brussels has successfully seen off a total of 107 Ugandan Nationals and legal residents who have been stranded in the BENELUX region (Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Europe following the closure of Entebbe international airport to passenger flights on 22nd March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Embassy undertook the registration process of Ugandan Nationals who were stranded in the BENELUX region (Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Europe and coordinated their return aboard KLM Royal Dutch Airlines which to arrived at Entebbe International Airport at 23:15 p.m.

Among some of the Ugandans returning on the flight include: Students, Government Officials, Business People, Medical Doctors, and others who had travelled to the BENELUX region (Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Europe for various reasons.

After fulfilling the standard procedures issued by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health of Uganda, guidelines by the respective Governments, the Ugandans were seen off at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol by the Deputy Head of Mission, Uganda Embassy Brussels, Amb. Franklin R. Katungwe and Embassy Officials.

The Deputy Head of Mission thanked the Ugandans and other legal residents for their patience during the difficult times they have endured as a result of the pandemic and wished them a safe journey.