Yoweri Museveni, president of Uganda
Uganda says it has reached an agreement with the United States to accept deported migrants.
The country’s foreign ministry announced the development in a statement on Thursday, noting that the agreement is “temporary”.
The deal applies to third-country nationals who were denied asylum but are unwilling or unable to return to their home countries.
Uganda said it would prefer deportees from African countries.
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“Individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted,” the terms added.
It is unclear how many migrants the East African country would eventually take.
Vincent Bagiire, permanent secretary, said both countries are working out implementation modalities.
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The agreement is part of a broader US policy under President Donald Trump’s administration aiming to deport millions of “undocumented immigrants” to third-party countries.
Human rights advocates have criticised the move, warning that migrants could face heightened risks if relocated to countries where they may lack adequate protection.
Washington has been courting several African governments to advance the deportation policy, with mixed results.
South Sudan, Eswatini, and more recently Rwanda, have signed on.
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Nigeria, however, declined a proposal to take in Venezuelan deportees with criminal records, Yusuf Tuggar, foreign minister, said.
