Uganda to take in 2,000 refugees who fled Afghanistan

Uganda is to take in 2,000 refugees who have fled Afghanistan after Talibans took power on Sunday.

 

The first group of 500 Afghans are expected to arrive at Entebbe Airport later on Tuesday.

 

The deal was agreed following a request from the US government, Refugee Minister Esther Anyakun told media.

 

Uganda has a long history of welcoming refugees - and is currently home



to around 1.3 million people who have fled conflict or other disasters.

 

The East African nation has the largest number of refugees in any country in Africa - and the third largest in the world.

 

The new Afghan arrivals will be tested for Covid-19 before they are sent to isolation centres, Ms Anyakun says. The US is to cover these costs.