Uganda Strikes Deal With US To Accept Reluctant Deportees From Third Countries

Uganda has reached a deal with the United States to accept deportees from third countries who may not qualify for asylum but are “reluctant” to return to their home nations, the East African country’s foreign ministry has announced.

Under the temporary arrangement, Uganda will not take in individuals with criminal records or unaccompanied minors, according to Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, the ministry’s permanent secretary. He did not disclose whether Uganda would receive payment or other benefits, nor how many deportees it is expected to accept.

“Uganda also prefers that individuals from African countries shall be the ones transferred to Uganda. The two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented,” Waiswa said.

Uganda is the latest country to enter into an agreement with the US, which is seeking to expel millions of undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers, and foreigners with criminal convictions.