At least 53 Ugandan students remain stranded in Iran as government efforts intensify to secure their safe return, following the successful evacuation of the first group of 43 students.
The 43 students, who had been studying at the Ahlul Bayt International University, were safely evacuated through coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Uganda and Uganda’s embassies in Tehran and Ankara.
The group is expected to arrive in Kampala aboard Ethiopian Airlines.
However, 53 other Ugandan students remain in Iran, currently enrolled at the University of Qom.
Authorities say arrangements are underway to facilitate their evacuation as security conditions and logistical planning allow.
The evacuations come amid heightened tensions and instability in the Middle East, which have disrupted normal life and international travel in parts of Iran.
Airspace restrictions and safety concerns have complicated evacuation operations, requiring careful coordination between diplomatic missions and host authorities.
Uganda’s government has assured parents and the public that the safety of its citizens abroad remains a top priority. Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that evacuation plans for the remaining students are actively being handled, with continued engagement between Uganda’s diplomatic teams and relevant authorities in Iran and neighboring countries.
Families of the stranded students have expressed anxiety but remain hopeful that the second group will soon be reunited with their loved ones.
This development highlights the critical role of Uganda’s foreign missions in responding swiftly during international crises, particularly when the safety of young Ugandans pursuing education abroad is at stake.
