Ugandan Nationals Stranded in Kigali Urged to Remain Calm

Mid last month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs moved to register Ugandan citizens stranded abroad at the time the Covid-19 pandemic lock down was announced.

Now, following growing calls for assistance by nationals holed up in Kigali, Uganda’s High Commission to Rwanda has appealed for calm as it explores possible solutions.

In a Friday communique, the Ugandan Embassy in Kigali said they were awaiting response from Kampala on the complaints which were addressed to them.

“The challenges of Ugandans in Rwanda through the Uganda Association in Rwanda (UAR) were received by the embassy and duly communicated to the Government of Uganda. The embassy is awaiting a response.”

Unlike back home where authorities are distributing free food to vulnerable citizens, the embassy says that at the moment, it has not received any food relief to this effect.

The embassy however says that the few food stuffs that were initially distributed to the most vulnerable were drawn from the personal savings of staff and well-wishers mobilized by UAR.

On the other hand, the embassy remains uncertain of plans to repatriate or allow free passage to Ugandans holed up in Kigali but says their particulars were forwarded back home.

“Ugandans mainly teachers who have had their contracts terminated are requesting to go back home. Since the mission does not have powers to open borders, their concerns have been submitted to Kampala for consideration,” the letter intimates.

From April 14 to April 21 this year, the embassy registered Ugandans temporarily living or working in Rwanda, excluding those on permanent stay.

The stranded citizens were asked to attach a copy of their Passport or Identity Card (ID) and their travel itinerary.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether President Yoweri Museveni will systematically lift the lockdown which has been in effect since the start of last month