Sudan to repatriate 10,000 refugees from Uganda in voluntary return program

March 4, 2026 (KAMPALA) – A Sudanese committee for the voluntary return of refugees from Uganda said on Wednesday it would operate a second repatriation flight this Friday, as the government pledged to return 10,000 citizens from the Ugandan capital.

The first flights under the voluntary program began on Feb. 20, transporting Sudanese from Entebbe International Airport to Port Sudan in eastern Sudan.

Reem Abdel-Jalil, a spokesperson for the committee, told Sudan Tribune that the second flight on Friday would be operated by Tarco Aviation and would carry 80 Sudanese returnees.

Abdel-Jalil said all logistical arrangements were complete, including the assembly of returnees in Kampala for transport to Entebbe and coordination for their reception in Port Sudan before they are moved to their final destinations.

Uganda hosts approximately 92,000 Sudanese refugees. Between 10% and 13% live in Kampala, while the remainder reside in the Kiryandongo refugee camp, the primary reception and registration centre.

Abdel-Jalil added that a delegation led by retired Major General Abdel Karim Yusuf Yaqoub would receive the returnees at Port Sudan airport.

Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim pledged to repatriate about 10,000 Sudanese currently in Uganda following a meeting with the committee to review refugee conditions. He said the return and stabilization of citizens was a government priority.

The head of the committee said the first phase of the program targets the repatriation of 10,000 Sudanese via commercial airlines.

The government is encouraging the return of refugees who fled their homes after conflict broke out 35 months ago. Since July 2024, 721,000 Sudanese have returned from neighbouring countries out of a total refugee population of 4.4 million, according to United Nations data.