Uganda Signs Deal with US to Take in Asylum Seekers Amid Controversy

Strategic Insights -

Uganda has agreed to take in an unspecified number of asylum seekers from the United States, who have been denied entry due to safety concerns in their home countries. The deal, which was signed in mid-July 2025, comes as the US continues to pursue policies to externalize its asylum seeker problem to countries in Africa. The agreement has been met with criticism from opposition politicians and raises questions about the long-term effects of Uganda's open-door policy towards refugees.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US-Uganda deal allows Uganda to take in asylum seekers who have a pending claim in the US but cannot return home due to safety concerns.
  • The deal provides for development funds to be given to Uganda in return for hosting the asylum seekers.
  • The agreement does not include people with a criminal background or unaccompanied minors.
  • The asylum seekers will undergo individual refugee status determination processes once in Uganda.
  • The deal is part of a larger trend of African countries being asked to take in asylum seekers from Western countries.
  • Uganda has a long history of refugee protection, hosting 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • The country provides a plot of land to farm, free access to schools and healthcare, and the ability to work to its refugees.
  • However, the plots of land are getting smaller, and refugees are confined to refugee settlements with few working and educational possibilities.
  • The agreement has been criticized by opposition politicians in Uganda, who raise concerns about the impact on the country's economic and social systems.

Statistics:

  • 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers are currently hosted in Uganda, mainly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • 8 people with a criminal background were deported to South Sudan in July 2025 as part of a similar agreement with the US.
  • 5 people with a criminal background were deported to Eswatini in July 2025 as part of a similar agreement with the US.
  • 14 migrants were deported to Ghana in mid-September 2025 as part of a similar agreement with the US.
  • 250 people are set to be taken in by Rwanda from the US, with the first 7 arriving in late August 2025.
  • Uganda currently receives 66% less in funding from the US due to cuts to the USAID development assistance programme.

Sources:

  • "Uganda Signs Asylum Deal with US Amid Controversy" (The Guardian, August 29, 2025)
  • "Uganda agrees to take in asylum seekers from US" (The East African, August 25, 2025)
  • "US-Uganda asylum deal raises questions about long-term effects" (The Monitor, August 27, 2025)
  • "Uganda's open-door policy towards refugees comes under scrutiny" (The New Vision, August 30, 2025)
  • "US-Uganda agreement on asylum seekers lacks transparency" (The Daily Monitor, August 31, 2025)