[2] After the 1848 Revolution, the Hungarian commander of Serbian nationality General János Damjanich, with a dozen other high-ranking officers, was hanged by the Austrians, and Vukovics, rightfully, feared for his life.

He was hiding from the authorities at the homes of the Menyhért Lónyay and Ervin Vladár families immediately after the Surrender at Világos.

In 1851 he emigrated to the United Kingdom, but maintained contact with all the revolutionaries, particularly Kossuth to whom he wrote many letters, outlining two basic principles for the near future: independence of Hungary, and "complete democratic freedom with respect to politics, nationality, and religion.

Therefore he did not give up Transylvania but did acknowledge the independence of Croatia, and recognized the establishment of the Voivodeship of Serbia and Banat of Temeschwar.

In Novi Sad his father made a donation to found the Gymnasium Jovan Jovanović Zmaj, constructed in 1810.