Forty-three Ugandan students who had been stranded in Iran have safely returned home following a government-coordinated evacuation mission amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The students arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday evening aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight after being evacuated from Tehran through Türkiye.

The evacuation was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Uganda) in coordination with Uganda’s diplomatic mission in Iran and security agencies to ensure the safe return of Ugandan nationals studying in the country.

Upon arrival, the students were received by Balaam Barugahara, the state minister for gender, labour and social development in charge of children and youth affairs, who represented the government at the airport. Barugahara said the government had acted swiftly to protect Ugandan students following growing insecurity in the region.

The minister confirmed that eight students chose to remain in Iran despite the government’s efforts to evacuate all Ugandans who wished to return home. He added that authorities are still monitoring the situation and remain ready to assist those who may later decide to leave.

Barugahara also revealed that another group of Ugandan students studying at a different university in Iran may soon receive government assistance to return home. “The other university has 53 students and we are trying to see how to support those ones also to return,” he said.

The evacuation operation was coordinated under the leadership of Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, working closely with Uganda’s Defence Advisor in Türkiye, Bob Ogiki.

According to authorities, the students were first moved out of Tehran in a difficult 24-hour road journey to the Gürbulak Border Gate on the Iran–Türkiye border. The Government of Türkiye facilitated their safe transit into the country before they continued to Istanbul.

From Istanbul, the students boarded an Ethiopian Airlines flight that transported them back to Uganda, bringing an end to a complex evacuation process that involved multiple government agencies and international coordination.

Officials credited the successful mission to the rapid collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, and authorities in Türkiye who assisted in ensuring the students’ safe passage.

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ugandan citizens abroad and said it will continue monitoring developments in the Middle East while providing assistance to nationals who may require support to return home.