By Frank Kamuntu
Uganda Airlines on 21/6/2020 promised to operate a repatriation flight from Johannesburg to Entebbe on June 25 to bring back Ugandans stranded in South Africa.
However according to the letter dated 23 June 2020 issued to stuck Ugandans in South Africa by the Embassy of Uganda signed by His Excellence Kintu Nyago, the flight has been postponed and announced that the repatriation will now occur on 2nd July 2020.
“The Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, accredited in the Republics of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and the Kingdoms of Eswatini and Lesotho is through this communication updating our community in this region about the ongoing repatriation activity back to Uganda” part of the letter read.
Ambassador added that engagement with both the Government of Uganda and the host, South Africa, on the above mentioned matter, is progressing positively.
His Excellence Kintu says that the status of the prevailing situation is based on the need to harmonize all variables in this equation, and the South African Government has cleared this repatriation exercise to be effected on July 2″ 2020.
He adds that People to be repatriated are those that have paid their airfare to Uganda Airlines and should rest be assured that their tickets will remain valid during this period, arguing those who have not paid for their air tickets to do so in order to safely secure their light back home
He further said that the High Commission will work with the respective Governments to ensure that Ugandans in the Kingdoms of Eswatini, Lesotho and the Republics of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe who intend to be repatriated, receive safe passage to South Africa in order to participate in this exercise.
However they are advised to regularly liaise with their respective Honorary Consuls on this matter.
“Arrangements will also be effected to ensure that those individuals, in South Africa, who are currently based outside Gauteng Province are enabled to travel to Gauteng for their repatriation, Similarly, it’s important for all individuals who are to be repatriated to strictly comply with the COVID-19 related regulations laid down by the Government of Uganda” letter read.
Recently, all four of the airline’s CRJ900’s took to the skies for a test flight after the enforced break of three months.
Uganda Airlines started Johannesburg service in January 2020 and has announced Kinshasa as its 10th destination, which is still awaiting the launch.
The national carrier which was revived after 18 years, operates a fleet of four CRJ900 to 8 destinations from its hub in Entebbe. In 2019, the government equally firmed up its order for two A330-800s, the latest version of A330 wide body aircraft.
