Uganda Denies US Deportation Deal
Uganda denies US deportation deal amid reports of new agreements. A senior Ugandan official denied on Wednesday a US media report that the country had agreed to take in people deported from the United States, saying it lacked the facilities to accommodate them. Citing internal US government documents, CBS News reported on Tuesday that Washington had reached deportation deals with Uganda and Honduras as part of its drive to step up expulsions of migrants to countries where they do not have citizenship. “To the best of my knowledge, we have not reached such an agreement,” Okello Oryem, state minister for foreign affairs, told Reuters by text message. “We do not have the facilities and infrastructure to accommodate such illegal immigrants in Uganda.”
Ugandan Official Rejects Claims of Migrant Acceptance Pact
Uganda’s government has firmly pushed back against reports suggesting it signed a deal with the United States to accept deported migrants from other countries. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem made it clear that no such agreement exists, stressing the country’s limited resources to handle more arrivals. This comes after a US media outlet cited internal documents claiming Uganda would take in African and Asian asylum seekers turned away by the US.
The proposed arrangement falls under US immigration laws that allow redirecting asylum claims to “safe third countries” where they can be fairly processed. For Uganda, this would mean accepting people from nations like those in Africa or Asia who tried to seek refuge in America but got denied. But Oryem’s denial shuts down those ideas, pointing to Uganda’s already heavy load as a host to refugees.
Uganda stands out globally for its open-door policy towards those fleeing war and hardship. It shelters close to 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from nearby spots like South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Somalia, and Eritrea. Many live in settlements like Bidi Bidi or Nakivale, getting land to farm and basic help from the UN and aid groups. The country has earned praise for this approach, but it strains resources – schools, clinics, and water points often overflow.
Adding US deportees would pile on more pressure. These folks might not qualify as refugees under UN rules, making it hard to fit them in. Uganda’s economy, with high youth joblessness and poverty, already struggles to support its own people, let alone extras without ties to the land.
US Push for Deportation Deals Amid Immigration Crackdown
The US report fits into a bigger plan by the American government to ramp up deportations. President Joe Biden’s team has looked for ways to send back migrants who cross borders without papers, especially from far-off places. This includes deals with countries to take people not from there, like sending Central Americans to Africa or Asia.
Honduras is named alongside Uganda in the reports as another new partner. Like Uganda, it would handle asylum claims for those rerouted. The US has done this before with places like Guatemala and El Salvador, though those pacts faced court fights and mixed results.
Under former President Donald Trump, similar “safe third country” agreements aimed to curb flows from Central America. Trump, who wants to deport millions if re-elected in November 2025, has sent convicts to spots like South Sudan and Eswatini. The current push builds on that, with over 1 million deportations in 2024 alone.
But these deals spark debate. Critics say they dump problems on poor nations without enough support. Rights groups worry about safety – deportees might face harm in unfamiliar lands. For the US, it cuts backlogs in its overloaded asylum system, where waits can stretch years.
Refugee Burden and Regional Strains in Uganda
Uganda’s denial makes sense given its refugee crisis. The country took in over 500,000 from South Sudan alone since 2016, plus hundreds of thousands from Congo’s wars. Camps like Palorinya and Rhino hold families who fled violence, but funding dips have cut food rations and aid.
The government works with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on a progressive model – refugees get plots to farm, kids go to local schools, and some work. But challenges mount: deforestation from firewood needs, health outbreaks, and tensions with hosts over resources.
Adding US deportees – likely economic migrants or failed asylum seekers from Asia or Africa – would not fit this setup. They might not get refugee status, leaving them in limbo. Uganda’s laws focus on those fleeing persecution, not broad immigration.
Neighbours watch closely. Kenya and Ethiopia also host millions but have stricter rules. If Uganda said yes, it could set a trend for Africa taking US castoffs, raising sovereignty worries.
Global Backlash and Legal Hurdles
Rights watchers slam these pacts as outsourcing duties. Amnesty International says they break international law by sending people to unsafe spots. In the US, courts have blocked some Trump-era deals, like one with Guatemala in 2019, over poor conditions.
India and others have turned down similar US asks. But with migration rising – over 100 million displaced worldwide per UNHCR – countries seek ways to share loads.
For Uganda, the denial avoids extra strain. As a US ally in East Africa, getting aid for security and health, it balances ties without overcommitting.
What Happens Next
The US might seek other partners or push talks. Uganda could face quiet pressure but stands firm on capacity. For migrants, it means longer waits or riskier paths.
This highlights global migration woes: rich nations offload, while poor ones bear the brunt. As talks go on, Uganda’s stance protects its people while upholding refugee welcome – a tough balance in tough times.
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