Ugandan embassy in Cairo still open

The Ugandan embassy in Cairo remains open despite ongoing mass protests that have rocked various parts of the North African country, the ministry of foreign affairs has said.

The Ugandan Embassy has been closed as Egypt braces for protests.

In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry noted that there has been public concern over the safety of the Ugandan mission and staff in Cairo as well as the safety of Ugandans living in Egypt.

The statement read, “There have also been press reports that our mission in Cairo has been closed due to the protests. The ministry wishes to inform the public that our embassy remains open and our staff is safe.”

It added, “However, given the fluidity of the situation, the ministry has advised the embassy that only essential staff should be at the office as the developments are being closely monitored.

“The ministry has also advised the Uganda Embassy in Cairo to inform Ugandans living in Cairo to stay indoors to avoid being caught up in the ongoing protests,” the statement added.

Similarly, the American and British governments have urged their citizens to cancel travel plans to or within Egypt.

The Egyptian army issued a 48-hour deadline to President Morsi and the political opposition to resolve the deadly clashes or else it would intervene.

However, Uganda’s envoy in Egypt Richard Angualia was not immediately available to comment on the embassy’s operations. Earlier, Angualia had advised Ugandans in Cairo to remain indoors. There are close to 1,000 Ugandans living in Cairo, comprising of mainly students.

Meanwhile, Egyptian streets including Cairo’s Tahrir Square Tuesday continued to be occupied by millions of protestors demanding for President Morsi’s resignation.

By Raymond Baguma, The New Vision

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