Written by
Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Uganda. Despite the government of Uganda’s efforts to evacuate Ugandans trapped in Afghanistan, some of them refused to leave the volatile Middle East country, revealed minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Jeje Odongo.
The August takeover of Kabul by the Talibans happened too fast, but, being mindful of the danger posed to foreigners, Uganda joined other 60 nations calling on the Taliban to ensure safe evacuation of foreign nationals.
Uganda has taken every effort to look out for all Ugandans trapped in Afghanistan and have since established that some Ugandans refused to be evacuated, The Observer reported.
Background
The Taliban returned to power on the 6th August 2021, 20 years after a United States led innervation that ousted them 2001. They were able to seize control after most foreign troops pulled out.
The lightning advance of the Taliban over 10 days prompted tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, many arriving in the Afghan capital, Kabul, others headed for neighbouring countries.
Why Ugandans refused to leave
The evacuation of Ugandans from Afghanistan is done voluntarily, they simply told Gen Odongo that they were okay and they are not willing to return home.
The number of Ugandans living in Afghanistan is unknown, but according to the authorities only 10 Ugandans accepted to be evacuated by the United Kingdom (UK) and six of these arrived in Uganda.
Zurah Neetah political analyst while speaking to Africa-Press on this issue said even with the unrest in Kabul, they probably understand it is a better place to stay and earn a living than returning to Uganda where they think that there is absolutely nothing to return to except family.
Uganda agreed to host 2000 Afghanistan refugees
Last month Ugandan authorities told BBC that the government will temporarily take in 2000 refugees from Afghanistan who fled their country after the Taliban militants took power, and that the deal was agreed following a request from the U.S government which was granted by Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Although the first batch of about 500 Afghanistan refugees were expected in Uganda on 16 August, they did not arrive. But on 25 August a group of 51 Afghan nationals landed at Entebbe airport, where they were received by U.S Ambassador to Uganda Natalie Brown, but instead of being taken to refugee camps like others they were taken to a hotel.
The authorities explained that the Afghans who arrived in Uganda are not refugees but people on transit who would be sent to a third country. And that the cost of providing for their needs is being met by the US.
