Uganda has begun a large-scale evacuation of its citizens from South Africa, flying home an initial group of 273 nationals as anti-illegal immigration protests and xenophobic violence intensify across parts of the country.

The first group landed at Entebbe International Airport aboard a Uganda Airlines charter flight, the opening phase of a voluntary repatriation programme ordered by President Yoweri Museveni. The government is footing the entire bill for the operation, which is expected to expand in the coming days.

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Haruna Kasolo and Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru, received the returnees on the tarmac. Amoru travelled with the group, many of whom carried only small bags after abandoning homes, businesses and jobs built over years in South Africa.

Kasolo hailed the evacuation as a coordinated national effort to shield Ugandans from escalating hostility towards foreign nationals. The operation is being run jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport and Uganda’s High Commission in Pretoria.

Officials say more than 800 Ugandans have formally registered for evacuation, though earlier tallies suggested as many as 1,200 might seek assistance. Additional charter flights are being arranged as consular teams verify identities and issue emergency travel documents to those with expired or missing passports.

Many of the returnees described a climate of fear as protests targeting undocumented migrants spread through several South African communities. Demonstrators have demanded tougher immigration enforcement and the removal of foreign nationals accused of taking jobs and running informal businesses.

Harriet Namukwaya, one of the evacuees, said she and others had sheltered in place for days while waiting for confirmation that a government-chartered aircraft would collect them. Another returnee, businessman Paddy Ddumba, said he left behind property, stock and close relatives, calling the decision “a painful choice between safety and everything I have worked for.”

Uganda is among several African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, organising voluntary repatriation as the unrest deepens. South African security authorities estimate that more than 25,000 foreign nationals have already departed since the latest wave of anti-migrant protests began.

Ugandan officials insist the airlift will continue until every citizen who wishes to leave South Africa has been brought home.