Government officials have declared that all Afghans coming into Uganda have been tested for Covid-19 and have undergone the mandatory quarantine procedures.
With worries that Afghan evacuees coming into Uganda might lead to a spike in infections, the government has said all evacuees were taken through mandatory Covid-19 testing and the required quarantine procedures.
“The evacuees who included men, women and children underwent the necessary security screening as well as the mandatory Covid-19 testing and the required quarantine procedures,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said while welcoming the first batch of refugees that arrived in the country on Wednesday.
The group of 51 evacuees that came aboard a privately chartered flight landed at Entebbe International Airport at 6 am was received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials and their counterparts from the US Embassy in Uganda.
According to a statement from the Foreign Affairs ministry, the group will be in Uganda on a temporary basis between two weeks to four months after which the US will make a decision on their next destination.
“This follows a request from the US government and acceptance by the government of Uganda to temporarily host at- risk Afghan Nationals and other nationals who are in transit to the United States of America and other destinations worldwide,” the ministry said.
In addition, the ministry said Uganda and the United States enjoy long-standing cordial bilateral relations which are historic in nature and continue to pursue common interests for the mutual interest of both countries.
The ministry said the request came following Uganda’s consistent record of receiving refugees and persons in need.
Uganda is currently home to over 1.5 million refugees from most neighbouring countries including South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo who is running away from conflicts in their home countries.
According to the ministry, this is what harboured the call from US counterparts.
“The decision to host those in need, is informed by the government of Uganda’s consistent policy of receiving refugees and persons in distress as well as playing a responsible role in matters of international concern,” the ministry added further.
“Whereas it had been arranged for some Ugandans to travel on the above flight due to the challenges of accessing the airport in Kabul, they were unable to make it. Arrangements are being made to bring them in the subsequent flight. Details of the subsequent arrivals will be communicated in due course.”
Meanwhile, Uganda is set to bring in up to 2,000 refugees from Afghanistan after their country fell under the control of the Taliban.
