Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni speaks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, July 30, 2023 / Image @ Darko Vojinovic
Uganda has begun receiving migrants deported from the United States under a controversial third-country arrangement, with authorities confirming the arrival of 12 individuals in a move that is already drawing legal and human rights scrutiny.
The group landed at Entebbe International Airport early Thursday, according to the Uganda Law Society, which criticised the process as “undignified” and “dehumanising.” The legal body said it intends to challenge the deportations in court, raising concerns about the treatment of the individuals and the broader legality of the arrangement.
The transfers form part of an agreement reached in August between Kampala and Washington, under which Uganda agreed to accept certain migrants denied asylum in the U.S. who are unwilling or unable to return to their countries of origin. However, Ugandan officials have indicated that the policy excludes individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors, with a preference for migrants of African descent.
A senior Ugandan government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the arrivals and described their stay as temporary, noting that the deportees are expected to remain in Uganda during a “transition phase” before possible relocation to other countries. Their nationalities have not been disclosed.
The development underscores the widening scope of U.S. deportation practices under President Donald Trump, particularly the use of third countries to receive migrants who cannot be repatriated. The policy has faced mounting criticism from rights groups, who argue it places vulnerable individuals in unfamiliar environments where they may lack support systems or legal protections.
Uganda now joins a growing list of African countries—including Ghana, South Sudan, Cameroon and Eswatini—that have reportedly agreed to accept non-citizen deportees from the United States. The trend reflects shifting migration dynamics and increasing cooperation between Washington and several African governments on migration management.
The arrangement also comes at a time when Uganda is already under pressure from hosting one of the largest refugee populations in the world. The country shelters nearly two million refugees, most of them from neighbouring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, placing significant strain on public services and humanitarian resources.
Analysts say the latest development could test Uganda’s already stretched capacity while intensifying debate over the ethics and sustainability of third-country deportation agreements.
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah