Ugandan Embassy in Brussels Repatriates Ugandans Stranded in the BENELUX Region, Europe

Just hours after 382 Ugandans were repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries of accreditation under the Uganda Embassy in Riyadh, 107 Ugandan nationals have also returned home from the BENELUX region (Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Europe.

“The Ugandan Embassy in Brussels has successfully seen off a total of 107 Ugandan Nationals and legal residents who have been stranded in the BENELUX region (Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Europe following closure of Entebbe international airport to passenger flights on March 22, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” a statement from the Embassy reads in part.

The Embassy undertook the registration process of Ugandan Nationals who were stranded in the BENELUX region and Europe, and coordinated their return aboard KLM Royal Dutch Airlines which arrived at Entebbe International Airport at 23:15 yesterday.

Among some of the Ugandans returning on the flight included; Students, Government Officials, Business People, Medical Doctors, and others who had travelled to the BENELUX region (Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Europe for various reasons.

“After fulfilling the standard procedures issued by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health of Uganda, guidelines by the respective Governments, the Ugandans were seen off at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol by the Deputy Head of Mission, Uganda Embassy Brussels, Amb. Franklin R. Katungwe and other Embassy Officials,” the statement further states.

The Deputy Head of Mission thanked the Ugandans and other legal residents for their patience during the difficult times they have endured as a result of the pandemic and wished them a safe journey.

It should be noted that all returnees have to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine after landing at Entebbe International Airport as per the government and Ministry of Health directive in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The returnees have an option to choose a hotel of their preference from those designated for the purpose while those who can’t afford the costs are taken to institutional quarantine centres- also put aside by the government.