The ministry stressed, however, that the deal was reached under “specific conditions” aimed at safeguarding Uganda’s national interests. Officials did not disclose the finer details of those conditions.
Uganda has confirmed it will take in some migrants deported from the United States, joining a growing list of countries cooperating with Washington’s controversial immigration policy under President Donald Trump.
In a statement released on Thursday, Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Kampala had agreed to host third-country nationals who are set for deportation from the US but are unwilling to return to their home countries.
The ministry stressed, however, that the deal was reached under “specific conditions” aimed at safeguarding Uganda’s national interests. Officials did not disclose the finer details of those conditions.
The agreement positions Uganda as one of the few African states to openly accept Washington’s request, highlighting the country’s longstanding reputation as a host for displaced people. Uganda is already home to nearly 1.5 million refugees, mainly from neighbouring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world.
President Trump has made the deportation of migrants a central part of his administration’s agenda, sparking widespread criticism from rights groups who argue that such arrangements risk undermining the international asylum system.
While Kampala framed the move as part of its humanitarian commitments, the deal is likely to raise questions about how Uganda will manage the additional burden amid strained resources and ongoing challenges with refugee support programmes.
The US has previously sought similar agreements with countries in Latin America and Africa as part of its drive to curb immigration.
