Uganda has agreed with the US to accept deportees from third countries who may not qualify for asylum but are unwilling to return to their home nations, according to the Ugandan foreign ministry. Under this temporary arrangement, Uganda will not take in people with criminal records or unaccompanied minors. The ministry’s permanent secretary did not specify whether Uganda would receive payment or how many people would be accepted.
Vincent Waiswa Bagiire, the permanent secretary, stated that Uganda prefers transfers to involve individuals from African countries, and that both sides are finalizing the details of the agreement.
This makes Uganda the latest country to sign such a deal with the US, which is trying to remove millions of undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, and foreigners with criminal or minor legal violations.
In July, the US deported five migrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba—all convicted of serious crimes—to Eswatini, where they are now held in a high-security prison. Their deportation is being challenged by a group of Swazi and southern African NGOs, with a court hearing set for Friday.
Also in July, eight men from various countries were deported by the US to South Sudan via Djibouti, where they were detained for weeks in a shipping container. Separately, over 250 Venezuelans were sent back to Venezuela in March after being held without due process in a notorious prison in El Salvador.
Meanwhile, Rwanda has agreed to accept 250 US deportees. A government spokesperson said they would receive workforce training, healthcare, and housing to help them start new lives.
Uganda, a US ally, has been ruled by 80-year-old President Yoweri Museveni for nearly four decades. His political opponents are often imprisoned.
On Wednesday, a Ugandan official denied that any deal had been reached, citing a lack of facilities and infrastructure for immigrants. This followed a CBS News report that the White House had made deportation agreements with Honduras and Uganda.
Godwin Toko, deputy director of the Ugandan pro-democracy think tank Agora, commented that Uganda lacks economic or military strength but uses cooperation with the US to gain influence. “Uganda can play the good boy for the US,” he said.
Uganda has a history of accepting deportees. Between 2015 and 2018, Israel sent around 1,700 Sudanese and Eritrean asylum seekers to the country. Uganda currently hosts nearly 2 million refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from neighboring East African nations.
Although Uganda is known for welcoming foreigners, Toko noted that it has a poor record of protecting those fleeing political persecution. He expressed concern that dissidents from countries like Kenya or South Sudan could be handed over to their home governments if deported to Uganda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Ugandas agreement with the US to accept some asylum seekers written in a clear and natural tone
General Understanding
1 What is this new agreement between Uganda and the US
The US and Uganda have made a deal where Uganda will accept a limited number of individuals whose US asylum applications were denied In return the US will provide support likely in the form of funding and resources
2 Why is Uganda agreeing to this
Uganda has a long history of hosting large refugee populations and is often praised for its progressive refugee policies This agreement likely comes with significant financial and developmental support from the United States which benefits Uganda
3 Who exactly will be sent to Uganda
The agreement is for a specific group of people those who sought asylum in the United States but had their applications officially rejected by a US court They are not recognized as refugees by the US
4 Is this mandatory for the asylum seekers
This is a key point According to official statements the relocation to Uganda is intended to be voluntary Individuals would be offered the option to go to Uganda instead of being deported back to their home country which they may have fled due to danger
Process and Logistics
5 What happens to these individuals once they arrive in Uganda
They will be processed by Ugandan authorities and given some form of legal status to reside in the country They are expected to integrate into Ugandan society with support for housing and potentially access to work and education
6 Will the US be paying for this
Yes The United States is expected to fund the entire program covering costs for transportation initial housing integration support and likely providing additional aid to Uganda for hosting them
7 How many people are we talking about
The numbers are expected to be limited and processed in phases It is not a mass relocation program but rather a pilot or targeted agreement for a specific group
Concerns and Implications
8 Is it safe for these individuals to go to Uganda
This is a major concern for human rights groups While Uganda is generally stable and has a good record on refugee reception there are concerns about the capacity of its systems and the specific challenges some individuals might face due to Ugandas own laws
9 What if someone doesnt want to go to Uganda
If
