Ugandan students recount harrowing escape from Iran after strikes

Forty-three Ugandan students have described their terrifying experiences after being evacuated from Iran following a series of military strikes in the region.

"We could hear the ground trembling, we could hear the ground shake," said Oscar Nyegyema, speaking to AFP after arriving at Entebbe International Airport. "We really did not know whether we could make it out."

Masters student Aloysious Ssegawa told BBC Focus on Africa that the bombings felt like an "earthquake" and that his only thought was "running for my life".

The evacuations came after the US and Israel jointly launched attacks on Iran on Saturday. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel and US allies in the Gulf, disrupting the Middle East.

Uganda’s ambassador in Tehran arranged for the students to travel by bus to the Turkish border and then on to Istanbul, from where they caught a flight home.

Ssegawa, who was in northern Tehran, said his journey back to Uganda took four days. He described heavy traffic jams and scenes of people fleeing with their belongings.

"There was a lot of panic, I must admit, everyone was scared," he told the BBC. "When you are in the building and a bombing happens, it shakes and you feel like it is an earthquake. The only thing that comes to mind is running for your life."

He added that the experience was "psychologically traumatic" and that he felt genuinely in danger. This was the second time he had fled Iran, having left last year during a 12-day conflict, though he returned to complete his studies. He says he would consider returning if a peace deal is achieved.

Nyegyema said his university had been hit by an air strike. "We were all scared, we were all feeling devastated." He also hopes to return to complete his programme.

Some Ugandan students chose to remain in Iran despite the evacuation offer. "There were about 51 in one university, but eight decided to remain behind willingly," Ugandan State Minister Balaam Barugahara told Reuters.

Jonan Gumushabe said he had been only a few days away from completing his degree when he left Iran. Another evacuee, Sharon Twiine, who was studying international relations at Ahlul Bayt International University in Tehran, said she would need therapy before resuming her studies.

"It was scary, traumatising, and I wouldn't wish for anyone to experience such a thing," she said.