South Africa says perpetrators of xenophobic attacks are enemies of gov’t

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has said that South African President , Cyril Ramaphosa told him that those behind recent xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants are opponents of his governing African National Congress (ANC).

Speaking on Sunday during the pass-out ceremony of 1,030 Ugandan returnees at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, Museveni said he had spoken to Ramaphosa and urged him to take decisive action against those responsible for the attacks.

“I told President Ramaphosa that what is happening is dangerous for Africa,” Museveni said.

“I urged him to deal decisively with xenophobia because welcoming fellow Africans is the right thing to do. If countries begin retaliating against one another, it will be dangerous for the entire continent,” Museveni added.

Museveni said Ramaphosa had assured him that those involved in the attacks were enemies of the ANC government and not representative of South Africa’s official position.

The President also appealed to Ugandans not to retaliate against South Africans living or investing in Uganda, saying the attacks should not undermine relations between the two countries.

The 1,030 Ugandans were evacuated from South Africa by Uganda Airlines following violent attacks targeting foreign African nationals. They have spent the past 15 days at NALI undergoing counselling, rehabilitation and ideological orientation under a programme coordinated by the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC).

“I welcome you from danger, and I thank God that you have returned safely,” Museveni said, extending condolences to the families of the three Ugandans who died during the attacks.

Acting state minister for Foreign Affairs Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo said Uganda had initiated diplomatic engagement with the South African government to establish the extent of property and business losses suffered by Ugandans during the violence.

Kasolo confirmed that three Ugandans were killed in the attacks and thanked Museveni for contributing Shs 10 million to each bereaved family. He added that Uganda’s High Commission in Pretoria had registered more than 600 Ugandans who remain stranded in South Africa.

The minister also called for tighter regulation of labour externalisation agencies, arguing that many Ugandans who experience exploitation abroad leave the country through labour recruitment companies.

To support the returnees’ reintegration, Museveni announced a Shs 2 billion fund for the group, in addition to Shs 2 million for each household head to facilitate transport to their home districts.

He also directed the returnees to document businesses and property lost during the attacks to enable the government to assess possible interventions. He encouraged them to take advantage of programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and other wealth creation initiatives.

Museveni used the occasion to urge Ugandans to pursue economic opportunities at home instead of seeking uncertain prospects abroad. He said Uganda offers opportunities in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, artisan work and the digital economy, citing entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses from modest investments.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja described the evacuation as one of Uganda’s largest humanitarian interventions involving citizens abroad, confirming that Uganda Airlines repatriated all 1,030 Ugandans at no cost.

She said the government remained committed to protecting Ugandans wherever they are and disclosed that another 525 Ugandans stranded in Cambodia had appealed for government assistance to return home.

Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Felix Mugabi thanked the government for rescuing them and providing rehabilitation, saying the programme had changed their perception of opportunities in Uganda.

“Many of us left believing success could only be found abroad. Today, we have discovered that Uganda offers enormous opportunities if we embrace hard work and government programmes,” Mugabi said.

He added that despite losing businesses, jobs and property in South Africa, the returnees intended to rebuild their lives through agriculture, manufacturing, vocational skills and entrepreneurship.

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