By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The government of Uganda on June 23, 2025, evacuated and returned 41 Ugandan students who have been pursuing different courses in different Universities in Iran. Their return followed the outbreak of a war between Israel and Iran which has so far claimed lives of people.
The prime Minister of Uganda, Hon. Robinah Nabanjja Musafiri, who received the forty one (41) students at Entebbe International Airport, explained that the evacuation was made possible through coordination between Uganda foreign Ministry, UPDF and Ugandan Ambassador to Turkiye Hon .Nusurati Tiperu. She revealed that all the evacuees were given free travel air-tickets and visas back to Uganda.
“On June 21, 2025, the President of Uganda telephoned me and instructed me to coordinate and spearhead the evacuation and return of our Ugandan students (41) who were stuck in Iran following the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war. Most of these students have been pursuing science courses at different Universities within Iran,” says the PM.
The Prime Minister appreciated Ambassador Nusurati Tiperu and UPDF’s Maj. Gen. Bob Ogiki for their integral role in ensuring the students return from Iran to Uganda.
Regarding students who were in their final year, the government through the education ministry will find a way of helping them to complete their studies in local Universities long as they present provisional results from the former universities.
Returned students speak out
Sarah Mayanja a student of Bachelors Degree in Architetural Engineering at Alhul-Bayat International University in Iran narrated that:” The occurrence of the horrible situation in Tehran, Iran found us normal situation and as University students we were enjoying our usual life,” said Sarah Mayanja an evacuee student.
‘It was on Friday last night when we heard heavy bombardments and shelling near our residential hostels in Iran. The horrible situation sent us into shivering as we were worried of our dear lives. Later, the security at our residential hostels asked us to vacate the premises telling us that in case anything happens it should find us outside because outside it’s safer and there are minimal or lesser damages and we heed to this advice.
‘ The situation continued to escalate on Sunday and it was really scaring and mind threatening for some of us who have lived in a peaceful country like Uganda and have never witnessed a war outbreak. We resolved to reach our Embassy in Tehran which in turn processed free travel visas and also coordinated all us to the boarder of Turkiye.
‘When we reached the border of Turkey, we found when the embassy of Tehran was already waiting for us and consequently that is how we were able to get out of the danger zone in Iran.
‘ At the border of Turkey, the security led us to Instabul Airport where we boarded a plane that brought us to Entebbe International Airport and now we are back home to our motherland Uganda , ‘ Sarah Mayanja showed ecstasy and happiness upon landing safely in Uganda.’
Another student Isaac Mwesiga, who has also been studying at Alhul-bayat international university in Iran, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural engineering recounted that: ” It was really a bad experience for us in Iran.It was the worst experience since my creation because some of us have never seen missiles before but the war in Iran exposed us to seeing them with our naked eyes,’ Mwesiga shared his horrible experience to the press.
“However, I thank President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for negotiating our return to Uganda. I also the Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign affairs that swiftly responded when we contacted them on the horrible situation we were going through while in Iran.
‘Lastly, I thank the Uganda’s embassy in Ankara and Maj. Gen. Bob Ogiki for their tireless and relentless efforts in ensuring we return to Uganda safely,” Mwesiga expressed his deep appreciation to the government of Uganda.
