Uganda to Accept Deportees from the US Under New Agreement

The Ugandan government has agreed to accept individuals deported from the United States under a new arrangement aimed at addressing immigration issues. This decision comes as the administration of President Donald Trump seeks to enhance deportations of immigrants who entered the US illegally. The initiative involves transferring some individuals to third countries, including Uganda, contingent upon specific conditions.

According to a statement from Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreement stipulates that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted. Waiswa emphasized that Uganda would prefer to receive deportees predominantly from African nationalities as part of this arrangement.

Waiswa mentioned, “The two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented.” This collaboration reflects ongoing discussions between the US and Uganda regarding immigration policies and the management of deportees.

On March 15, 2024, a Ugandan foreign affairs official refuted a US media report claiming that Uganda had officially agreed to accept deportees, citing a lack of facilities to accommodate such individuals. Despite this, the Ugandan government has historically been a significant ally of the US in East Africa and currently hosts nearly two million refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from neighboring nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan.

The growing number of immigrants facing deportation has prompted the US administration to explore various options for relocation. The arrangement with Uganda is part of a broader strategy that includes sending convicted criminals to other countries, such as South Sudan and Eswatini.

As the situation develops, the implications for both Uganda and the United States will be closely monitored. Uganda’s capacity to manage additional populations remains uncertain, given its existing commitments to refugees and asylum-seekers. The international community will likely watch this agreement with interest, considering the humanitarian and diplomatic ramifications involved.