By Mujasi Siragi Mubajje
KAMPALA, Uganda Direct Aid Uganda, in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Uganda, is supporting more than 1,000 Sudanese refugees to voluntarily return home after years of living in Uganda.
The humanitarian initiative is aimed at reuniting families and helping Sudanese refugees, including elderly people, students, families and persons with disabilities, return home and begin a new chapter of their lives.
Speaking during the handover of travel documents and air tickets to 220 beneficiaries, Mr. Ayman Suleiman, the Diplomatic Consul at the Sudanese Embassy in Uganda, said 140 beneficiaries are scheduled to travel on Sunday, while another 80 will travel on Monday.
Mr. Suleiman said the programme targets more than 1,000 Sudanese who have lived in Uganda for many years, with some having spent more than two decades in the country.
He said the Sudanese Embassy is working closely with Direct Aid Uganda, the High Committee for Voluntary Return and the Ugandan government, including the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to complete the necessary procedures for those returning home.
Mr. Suleiman said the voluntary return programme is being supervised by the Sudanese government and is intended to enable returning citizens to reunite with their families and contribute to the reconstruction of Sudan following the war.
He also called on the Sudanese community and humanitarian organisations to support the initiative.
Direct Aid Uganda Country Director, Mr. Nourelhoda Elaagab Abdalla Mohamed, said the organisation had handed over tickets and travel documents to 220 beneficiaries who will travel on Sunday and Monday.
He said the latest flights are the second and third departures under the programme, following the first group that travelled the previous Sunday.
According to Mohamed, Direct Aid Uganda is targeting at least 1,000 beneficiaries by the end of September 2026.
He said most of those benefiting are elderly people and young students who have spent years separated from their families.
“Most of the beneficiaries are elderly people and young students who have been suffering in Uganda. They are now happy to return home, reunite with their families and continue their education,” Mohamed said.
He added that young people returning to Sudan will have an opportunity to resume their studies and rebuild their lives in their home country.
Deputy Country Director of Direct Aid Uganda, Mr. Muhammad Orabi Muhammad, said the organisation was pleased to support the voluntary return of Sudanese refugees.
He said the partnership with the Sudanese Embassy had helped complete the documentation required for beneficiaries to travel.
Muhammad said many of the beneficiaries were visibly happy after receiving their travel tickets and documents.
“We are happy to implement this programme for Sudanese refugees to return home and start a new chapter in their lives,” he said.
He said the programme is expected to benefit between 1,000 and 1,200 Sudanese families and wished all those returning a safe journey and a peaceful life back home.
The initiative comes as many Sudanese refugees who have spent years in Uganda seek to reunite with relatives and rebuild their lives in Sudan. For the beneficiaries, the return represents an opportunity to reconnect with their families, resume education and take part in rebuilding their country.
