Uganda confirms deal to host U.S. deportees, stirring domestic and continental debate

Uganda has confirmed a temporary agreement with the United States to accept third-country nationals denied asylum in the U.S., marking a significant shift in migration policy that has sparked controversy both at home and across the continent.
The deal, confirmed last week (21 August) by Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, excludes individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors. Uganda will reportedly prioritize African nationals under the agreement. “The two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented,” Waiswa stated. The arrangement follows pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to reduce the number of undocumented migrants in the U.S., with Uganda becoming the latest African country — after South Sudan, Eswatini, and Rwanda — to accept deportees. Africa’s response to President Trump’s migrant relocation plan is divided, with some governments signaling willingness to cooperate while others, such as Nigeria, voicing sharp resistance.
Also in Uganda, the move has drawn some criticism. Just days before the announcement, Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, denied any such agreement, citing a lack of infrastructure. Civil society voices warn Uganda is already overburdened, hosting Africa’s largest refugee population — nearly 1.7 million people put up in various camps across the country. While some Ugandans expressed concern over resource strain, others questioned what Uganda gains from the deal. Analysts suggest the deal may be part of a broader diplomatic strategy by Kampala to secure stronger ties with Washington, including trade and development support. The number of deportees remains unspecified.