Ugandan students recall 'ground trembling' during Iran air strikes

Forty three Ugandan students arrived home after being evacuated from Iran following air strikes. They described terrifying moments as the ground shook around them, highlighting the dangers civilians face during escalating military attacks in the region.

Emotional scenes unfolded at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda as 43 students returned after being evacuated from Iran amidst recent air strikes. These students were caught in the middle of military attacks carried out by the United States and Israel targeting various locations in Iran.

Evacuation Operations

The evacuation effort was organized by Uganda's ambassador in Tehran. Students were first transported by bus to the Turkish border before being flown from Istanbul back to Uganda. Those evacuated described the journey as intense and frightening due to ongoing aerial bombardments in Iran.

Eyewitness Accounts of Air Strikes

One of the students, Oscar Nyegyema, recounted the experience during the strikes: "We could hear the ground trembling, we could hear the ground shake. We really did not know whether we could make it out." He confirmed that his university sustained direct impacts from the bombing, leaving him and his peers both scared and devastated. Despite the traumatic experience, Nyegyema expressed his intention to return to Iran to complete his studies once the situation is safe.

Students Remaining in Iran

Not all Ugandan students opted to leave. Some chose to remain in Iran despite government assistance for evacuation. Ugandan State Minister Balaam Barugahara confirmed that at one university, eight out of approximately 51 students decided to stay behind. Evacuee Aloisius Ssegawa explained: "The truth is for these students, they believe that if they return home, the two years spent in their four-year degree study may go to waste because they may not be able to afford the ticket back to the university."

Individual Experiences

Jonan Gumushabe was only a few days away from completing his degree when he left Iran. Another student, Sharon Twiine, who studied international relations at Ahlul Bayt International University in Tehran, described the events as traumatic, stating that she would need therapy before resuming her studies: "It was scary, traumatising and I wouldn't wish for anyone to experience such a thing."

Regional and Ongoing Context

The evacuations occurred in the wake of a joint US and Israeli attack on Iran, which prompted retaliatory strikes by Iran targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf. These military actions have caused widespread disruption across the Middle East.

Authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation, with the Ugandan government maintaining contact with students who remain in Iran. Ensuring the safety and well-being of all students remains a priority, alongside providing options for those who wish to return to Uganda. The return of the students highlights the immediate effects of international conflicts on civilians and the complex logistical measures required to evacuate citizens from high-risk regions.

Sources:

• Ugandan students evacuated from Iran speak of 'trauma'
• ‘Traumatized’ Ugandan students return home from Iran
• Ugandan students who fled Iran air strikes recall 'ground trembling'