Uganda’s military has evacuated 43 Ugandan students from Iran following a sharp escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, as Kampala moves to safeguard its nationals caught up in the unfolding crisis.
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) confirmed on Monday that the students, who had been stranded in Tehran, were successfully evacuated through Turkey.
“The UPDF, through our Defence Advisor in Turkey, Major General Bob Ogiki, has successfully evacuated 43 Ugandan students who were stranded in Tehran (Iran),” a defence official said. “They are now safe in Turkey waiting to return home.”
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to identify and support other Ugandan nationals who may still be in Iran. The government has not disclosed the exact number of citizens remaining in the country but indicated that coordination continues through diplomatic and defence channels.
The evacuation follows a dramatic escalation in the region after large-scale strikes targeted Iranian sites over the weekend, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks across parts of the Gulf. The exchange has heightened security alerts and raised fears of a broader regional conflict involving Tehran, the United States, and Israel.
In a security notice dated February 28, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, said Uganda was monitoring developments “with grave concern.”
“The Government of Uganda calls on all parties to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and refrain from any further escalation,” Bagiire stated.
He advised Ugandan citizens in Iran who are able to leave to take serious precautions and depart through any available means. He also revealed that Kampala had withdrawn non-essential staff from its embassy in Tehran and that consular services were now severely limited.
“Due to the extremely fluid situation that is affecting international travel, all Ugandan citizens are strongly advised to suspend travel to the Middle East until further notice,” he added.
Evacuation efforts have been complicated by airspace restrictions and tightened border controls in parts of the region. Several airlines have suspended or rerouted flights as governments conduct security assessments.
Uganda has previously carried out similar evacuation missions during international crises, including the conflict in Sudan and unrest in Libya, often combining diplomatic engagement with military logistics to extract citizens from high-risk areas.
Officials have not yet confirmed when the evacuated students will return to Kampala, though arrangements are said to be underway.
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with global powers urging restraint to prevent further escalation that could disrupt transport routes, energy markets, and trade corridors linking Africa, Asia, and Europe.
