A group of 43 Ugandan students evacuated from Iran after airstrikes by the United States and Israel arrived safely home on Thursday following a government-led rescue operation.
Uganda’s ambassador in Tehran coordinated their journey, arranging buses to take the students to the Turkish border. From there, they travelled to Istanbul before boarding a flight back to Uganda.
Speaking after landing at Entebbe International Airport, several students described the fear and trauma they experienced while fleeing the bombardment.
Sharon Twiine, who had been studying international relations at Ahlul Bayt International University in Tehran when the conflict escalated, said the experience left her shaken.
“In simple terms, it was scary and traumatising. I wouldn’t wish anyone to go through that,” she said.
Another student, Oscar Nyegyema, recalled how an airstrike hit an area close to their university, sending shockwaves through the surroundings.
“We could feel the ground trembling and shaking. We were all terrified and devastated, unsure if we would make it out,” he said.
Despite the ordeal, Nyegyema said he hopes to return to Iran soon to complete his studies.
Not all Ugandan students chose to leave. Some remained behind, worried that returning home could jeopardize their education.
Aloisius Ssegawa explained that several students feared they might not afford the cost of travelling back to Iran if they left now, potentially losing the two years they had already spent in their four-year programs.
Twiine said she still hopes to continue her studies one day but first needs time to recover.
“I love studying and I want to apply what I learn from Iran, but I think I will need therapy first,” she said.
The total number of foreign nationals being evacuated from Iran continues to change as the situation evolves. So far, only a small number of African citizens have been confirmed to have left the country.
Earlier this week, Sierra Leone’s government said it had helped 24 of its nationals and diplomatic staff leave Iran. Meanwhile, South Africa has urged its citizens in the Middle East to evacuate several countries as further attacks are expected in the region in the coming days.
