Eight migrants from various African countries have been deported from the United States to Uganda, marking the first transfer under a migration agreement signed between both countries last year.
The group arrived in Uganda on Wednesday after a U.S. court approved their deportation, according to a statement from Uganda’s foreign ministry. The agreement designates Uganda as a “safe third country” for migrants who are unable or unwilling to return to their countries of origin due to concerns such as persecution.
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from the Uganda Law Society, which described the deportation process as “undignified, harrowing and dehumanising.” The organisation also questioned the legality of the arrangement and said it plans to challenge it in court.
The U.S. government has yet to officially comment on the latest deportations, although the policy aligns with the strict immigration stance of President Donald Trump, whose administration has deported dozens of migrants to third countries since returning to office in January.
Human rights advocates have widely criticised the approach, raising concerns about its legality and the treatment of deportees.
Uganda’s foreign ministry, while withholding specific details about the individuals for privacy reasons, said the deportees are neither Ugandan nor American citizens but are of African origin. It added that the country remains committed to offering sanctuary to those in need and ensuring they are treated with dignity.
Reports indicate that Uganda agreed to accept deported migrants on the condition that they do not have criminal records. However, U.S. authorities have previously stated that many individuals sent to third countries under similar arrangements have been convicted of crimes.
The development is part of a broader U.S. policy targeting undocumented migrants, a key campaign promise of President Trump. Uganda joins other African nations, including Ghana, Eswatini, and South Sudan, that have agreed to receive deportees under similar third-country arrangements.
