Museveni urges South Africa returnees to build wealth at home, announces Shs2 billion support

What the report says

Nile Post reports that President Yoweri Museveni has pledged Shs2 billion to support 1,030 Ugandans repatriated from South Africa after xenophobic violence, urging them to rebuild livelihoods in Uganda rather than depend on uncertain opportunities abroad. He made the remarks on Sunday at a pass-out ceremony at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, where the returnees had spent 15 days in counselling, rehabilitation and ideological orientation under a programme coordinated by the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps.

According to the report, Museveni also announced Shs2 million for each household head to help with transport back to home districts. He encouraged the group to pursue income through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, artisan trades and the digital economy, and pointed them to existing government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga. He also asked returnees to document businesses and property reportedly lost during the attacks so government can assess possible follow-up.

Nile Post says Museveni told the gathering he had raised the attacks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and cautioned Ugandans against retaliating against South Africans living or investing in Uganda. Acting State Minister for Foreign Affairs Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo said three Ugandans were killed, and that Museveni contributed Shs10 million to each bereaved family. Kasolo also said Uganda had begun diplomatic engagement with South Africa over the extent of losses suffered by Ugandan businesses.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja described the evacuation as a major humanitarian intervention for Ugandans abroad, saying Uganda Airlines brought back all 1,030 citizens at no cost. Officials said the group included 738 adults and 292 children, with some referred for specialised treatment and others assisted with identification documents, business registration, medical screening and training.