FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER PROTESTS FEES CHARGED TO EVACUATE UGANDANS STRANDED IN SUDAN WAR ZONE, PUTS THREE TOUGH DEMANDS

STORY BY:
MOSES MUGALULA
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

SHADOW Minister of foreign Affairs in Uganda, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi has protested the evacuation program for Ugandans stranded in Sudan demanding for a free and comprehensive evacuation program.
In a press statement released yesterday April 29, 2023, the Kyadondo East Member of Parliament gave three demands calling upon Kampala government to immediately evacuate all Uganda Citizens from Sudan and it must be done free of charge.

“Stranded Uganda citizens have no money to pay and the escence of evacuation has lost purpose and meaning because those with no money are left behind. This must stop immediately. We need our people with or without money be evacuated.” Reads statement from Shadow Foreign Affairs minister Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi.

On April 17, 2023  this NUP opposition MP Muwada Nkunyingi raised concerns and demanded that all Uganda Citizens stranded and trapped in Sudan amidst the ongoing conflict be evacuated. However, as of today, many Ugandans remain in areas of intense fighting in Sudan. 
On the morning of Tuesday April 27, 2023, about 211 Ugandans living and working in the Republic of the Sudan arrived in the country aboard Uganda Airlines following a successful evacuation directed by H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The evacuees in the company of Ambassador Joseph Ocwet, Director General of ESO composed of diplomats, students, and business expatriates, touched down at 02:30 am at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda from Bahir Dar Airport in Northern Ethiopia.
On this MP Muwada says, the Uganda regime is rumoured in media to have announced an evacuation arrangement vide Uganda Airlines. This would assist in rescuing thousands of trapped and stranded Ugandan Citizens.

To the contrary, Shadow Foreign Affairs minister says, “As of today April 29th, 2023 i received and continue receiving fresh reports and saddening complaints from several stranded Uganda citizens in Sudan narrating among others that;

1. The alleged Uganda Airline evacuation flights are at a fee for Uganda Citizens. The Uganda Government officials require each Uganda citizens to pay money for clearance to access Uganda airline flights and several without money have been sent away and or left in Sudan. 
2. Non Ugandans with money were given priority to board Uganda airline evacuation flights. Several Uganda citizens were left behind and instead foreign nationals with money evacuated into Uganda. 
3. The alleged Uganda airline evacuation flights were largely utilized by Uganda Embassy officials, families and their friends leaving behind stranded Uganda citizens, helpless and with no point of contact.
4. Therevis no clear evatuation program notified to the stranded Uganda citizens in various regions of Sudan. Many claim to lack basic needs including food and first aid.

WE PUBLICLY PROTEST THE ABOVE & DEMAND THAT WITH URGENCY;
a) Evacuation of Uganda Citizens from Sudan must be done free of charge stranded Uganda citizens have no money to pay and the escence of evacuation has lost purpose and meaning.
b) Uganda Government, Mimistry of Foreign Affairs and Uganda Embassy in Khartoum should provide the stranded Ugandans with alternative contacts now that all Embassy staffs were evacuated first. 
c) Clear efforts must be made to establish actual number of Uganda Citizens trapped amidst the ongoing Sydan armed conflict and a clear repratriation plan drawn and or made public. Lives of All Ugandans Matter

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