A group of 12 people deported from the United States has arrived in Uganda under a new agreement, but the move is already facing strong criticism and possible legal action.The deportation took place as part of a policy pushed by Donald Trump’s administration, which involves sending migrants to countries where they have no personal or national connections. According to officials, Uganda will temporarily host these individuals before they may be moved to other countries.
A senior Ugandan official told an international news agency that the stay is only a “temporary transition phase.” However, the Uganda Law Society strongly criticised the process. The group called it unfair and inhumane, saying the deported people were treated without dignity. It also said it plans to take legal action against the policy in both Ugandan courts and regional courts.
So far, little information has been shared about the deported individuals, including their nationalities. This lack of transparency has raised further concerns among rights groups and legal experts.Uganda is not the only country involved in such agreements. Other African nations, including Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan, have also accepted deportees from the US. These individuals have come from different parts of the world, such as Cuba, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
The US government says all deportations are carried out with full cooperation from Uganda. A spokesperson from the US embassy in Kampala stated that they cannot share specific details due to privacy reasons.Uganda had earlier agreed to accept certain migrants who could not stay in the US but were unwilling to return to their home countries. The country also made it clear that it would not accept people with criminal records or unaccompanied children. It remains unclear whether the US is providing financial support for this arrangement.
Uganda already hosts nearly two million refugees, mainly from nearby countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. There are questions about whether the country can handle more people. Deportation orders have been issued for hundreds of asylum seekers. Tens of thousands are currently in detention across the United States, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Human rights groups are worried. Reports show that even young children have been kept in detention centres.
