KAMPALA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has called for discussions to curtail the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa that have left scores dead.
The attacks, mainly targeting foreigners in South Africa and their businesses, have drawn concern.
Jacob Oulanyah, deputy speaker of Uganda's parliament, said the situation is "worrying." "Governments must come together to do something about it," Oulanyah told the country's legislators in a session that was broadcast live.
Oulanyah noted that in a number of countries such as Nigeria, citizens started retaliating by burning and vandalizing businesses owned by South Africans.
"We now have this term called xenophobia. Several citizens of other countries have been affected. We need to start discussion on how to handle this situation," Oulanyah said.
Jacqueline Amongin, a legislator, said what was happening in South Africa was a matter of continental concern.
"The xenophobic attacks in South Africa are unacceptable, and we condemn them. The safety of all Africans in South Africa is not guaranteed," she said.
The legislators later demanded an official statement from Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the safety of Ugandans in South Africa.
