By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
Following the outbreak of Israel -USA war on Iran, the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has returned 43 students who were pursuing different courses in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The students returned last night on March 5, 2026 and were welcomed at Entebbe International Airport by the State Minister for Gender, Labor and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara.
While addressing the media at Entebbe International Airport, Minister Balaam Barugahara, revealed in total the number of returnee students would have been 51 but other eight students deliberately decided to remain in Iran as they wait for the situation to normalize to resume their studies.
Minister Balaam told the media that government was able to evacuate the returned students through coordinated efforts with the Ambassador of Uganda to Iran, Twaha Matata.
“Our Ambassador to Iran, Twaha Matata reached us through the Ministry of Foreign affairs and in turn the Chief of Defense Forces reached our military attachee in Turkey, Maj. Gen. Bob Ogiki who worked tirelessly with our Ambassadors to deliver the students to Uganda, ” Minister Balaam explained.
Minister Balaam Barugahara noted that government is also working on evacuation plans to return other 53 Ugandan students in another University in Iran.
Returnee students speak out
Sarah Mayanja, a second year student in Iran pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural engineering, said the situation in Tehran is terrible and that they spent sleepless nights as heavy bombardments were heard a few kilometers away from the their University.
“When the situation became unbearable, we reached out to our Ambassador Twaha Matata who made arrangements for us to be evacuated from Iran,” narrated Sarah Mayanja.
‘On March 4, 2026, we boarded a bus but it took us 14 hours to reach the border of Turkey. Then from the border of Turkey, it took us more 17 hours to reach Instabul where we slept at Movenpick Hotel. On March 5, 2026, we were able to fly to Uganda. I thank the government of Uganda for evacuating us,” Sarah Mayanja expressed her appreciation.
Another student, Isaac Nimwesiga, a final student of Bachelor’s degree in Architectural engineering thanked Ambassador Nusura Tiperu for helping them cross the border of Turkey.
Students appeal to Government
Oscar Nyegema, a final year student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, appealed to the government of Uganda to find them alternative universities in Uganda to be able to complete their studies. He said where they were studying the university site was hit hard by missiles and that they are uncertain of their lives when they go back to Iran.
Aloysius Segawa, a Master’s degree student in Iran asked government to help them pay their air travel tickets when the situation normalizes in Iran. He said the first time they were returned from Iran, many of his colleagues couldn’t afford air travel tickets to return to Iran to complete their studies.
