How a Ugandan lost 20 years of her life to xenophobia

What the report says

DW reports that renewed anti-immigrant hostility in South Africa in 2026 has pushed many African migrants to leave, including Ugandan entrepreneur Winniefred Kabiri, who had lived legally in the country for 20 years. Kabiri told DW she left Johannesburg for Kampala after feeling increasingly unsafe as anti-foreigner campaigns, demonstrations and threats intensified in parts of the country.

According to DW, Uganda has repatriated more than 1,100 of its nationals from South Africa, completing a first phase in July with 1,102 people brought home on six flights from Johannesburg. Kabiri’s departure meant leaving behind businesses and professional ties built over two decades, as well as the life in which she educated her children and earned university and postgraduate qualifications.

DW also reported the experience of Mathias Baguma, another Ugandan returnee, who said a business he had developed in Johannesburg was vandalized and looted during the unrest. South Africa has seen repeated episodes of xenophobic violence since the late 1990s, often linked by analysts to unemployment, inequality, pressure on public services and claims that migrants are responsible for crime or job losses.

Ugandan officials told DW that returnees were received at Entebbe airport and offered orientation, counseling, health checks and information on possible support in areas such as agriculture, tourism, technology and small business. The report says many returnees now face the difficult task of rebuilding livelihoods in Uganda after leaving property, investments and networks behind in South Africa.