Uganda Signs Agreement with US for Temporary Relocation of Third-Country Nationals

Strategic Insights -

Uganda and the United States have signed an agreement to temporarily relocate certain third-country nationals who have been denied asylum in the US to Uganda. The arrangement, part of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, involves examining protection requests for individuals reluctant to return to their countries of origin. According to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, the relocation will be subject to strict conditions, including the exclusion of individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors. Uganda prefers to consider individuals from African countries under the agreement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The agreement allows for the temporary relocation of third-country nationals from the US to Uganda, pending asylum examination.
  • The arrangement covers individuals reluctant to return to their countries of origin, excluding those with criminal records and unaccompanied minors.
  • Uganda has a preference for considering individuals from African countries under the agreement.
  • The two governments are still working out the detailed modalities for implementing the agreement.
  • The Trump administration's push for deportation deals has seen at least a dozen nations sign on, including Rwanda, which has agreed to accept up to 250 migrants.
  • Human rights groups have raised concerns over the deals, warning against secondary deportations to countries where migrants may face risk.

Statistics:

  • At least 12 nations have signed on to the Trump administration's deportation deals across several continents.
  • Rwanda has agreed to accept up to 250 migrants from the US under a similar arrangement.
  • The agreement between Uganda and the US will temporarily relocate third-country nationals, though specific numbers have not been disclosed.

Sources:

  • Nile Post, 2025
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)