Uganda’s Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that the country has entered into a “temporary” agreement with the United States to accept deported migrants.
The agreement covers nationals from third countries who were denied asylum in the U.S. but are unwilling or unable to return to their countries of origin. Uganda indicated a preference for receiving deportees from African countries.
The deal explicitly excludes “individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors” from being accepted.
It remains uncertain how many migrants Uganda might eventually accept. Vincent Bagiire, Permanent Secretary, said both countries are still working out the detailed implementation modalities.
This agreement forms part of a larger U.S. policy under the Trump administration aimed at deporting millions of “undocumented immigrants” to third countries.
Human rights advocates have criticized the arrangement, warning that such migrants may face increased risks in countries where protection mechanisms are lacking.
Countries such as South Sudan, Eswatini, and more recently Rwanda have already signed on to similar agreements. Uganda’s neighbor Nigeria, however, rejected a proposal to accept Venezuelan deportees with criminal records.
