Uganda, US reach agreement on third-country deportations amid immigration crackdown

Uganda has confirmed an agreement with the United States to receive nationals from third countries who may not qualify for asylum in the US but are unwilling to return to their countries of origin, the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

This arrangement comes as part of the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to deport millions of immigrants who entered the US illegally. The US has been expanding removals to third countries, including controversial deportations of convicted criminals to nations such as South Sudan and Eswatini, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided details in an official statement: "This is a temporary arrangement with conditions including that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted." He further clarified that Uganda’s preference under the agreement is to receive individuals of African nationalities.

"The two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented," Waiswa added, signaling ongoing negotiations regarding the practical execution of the deal.

The announcement follows conflicting reports earlier this week, when another Ugandan foreign affairs official denied media claims that Uganda had agreed to accept deportees from the United States, citing a lack of facilities to accommodate such individuals.

Uganda, a strategic US ally in East Africa, currently hosts nearly two million refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from neighboring countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan.

By Vafa Guliyeva