Uganda Issues Urgent Advisory: Citizens Urged to Leave Iran Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
KAMPALA, Uganda – February 28, 2026 – The Ugandan government has issued a stark security notice to all its citizens residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran, advising them to leave the country immediately due to a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
In an official statement released today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “grave concern” over the escalating regional tensions and called for urgent de-escalation.
“The Government of Uganda is monitoring the situation in the Middle East with grave concern,” read the statement signed by Permanent Secretary Bagiire Vincent Waiswa. “We call on all parties to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and refrain from any further escalation.”
However, the ministry’s primary focus was on the safety of Ugandan nationals in the region. The most urgent directive was aimed at those in Iran.
Advisory to Leave and Suspension of Travel
“In light of the escalating Security situation, all Ugandan citizens in the territory of Iran, who can, are advised to take serious precautions for their safety and leave Iran through any possible means,” the statement declared.
Concurrently, the government has strongly advised all Ugandan citizens to suspend any planned travel to the Middle East “until further notice,” citing the “extremely fluid situation that is affecting international travel.”
Embassy Operations Scaled Back
In a significant operational move, the government has taken the decision to withdraw all non-essential staff from its Embassy in Tehran to ensure their safety. This reduction in personnel will severely impact the services the embassy can provide.
“Consular services are severely limited for the time being as alternative arrangements are put in place,” the notice stated, leaving Ugandans in the country with reduced access to official assistance.
Instructions for Those Remaining
Recognizing that not all citizens may be able to leave immediately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued specific safety instructions for those who remain in Iran. They are urged to alert community leaders of their whereabouts, stay indoors, and closely monitor media developments.
The notice also warned that official information regarding potential evacuations would be scarce until the situation stabilizes. “Information about evacuations will be limited until the situation normalizes,” the statement read.
The Ugandan government’s advisory places it among a growing list of nations taking precautionary measures to protect their citizens as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to mount.
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