First Group of US Deportees Arrives in Uganda Under Bilateral Agreement
Twelve individuals deported from the United States have arrived in Uganda, according to the Uganda Law Society, marking the first known arrivals since the two countries signed a bilateral agreement permitting such transfers. The deportees landed on Thursday via a private charter flight, as confirmed by the legal organisation.
Controversial Deportation Process
The Uganda Law Society strongly criticised the deportation process, describing it as "undignified, harrowing and dehumanizing." In a formal statement, the society alleged that the individuals were "effectively dumped in Uganda" and expressed concerns about their welfare upon arrival. The organisation further claimed that the deportees were at the mercy of "unnamed, private interests on either side of the Atlantic" and announced it is seeking legal remedies to halt what it termed an "international illegality."
US Immigration Crackdown
These deportations form part of President Donald Trump's broader immigration enforcement strategy, which aims to deter illegal migration to the United States and remove individuals already present unlawfully. The policy particularly targets those with criminal records and migrants who cannot be easily returned to their countries of origin. The US State Department and Department of Homeland Security have defended third-country deportations as an efficient method for removing individuals residing illegally in the United States.
Legal and Diplomatic Context
The deportation programme has sparked multiple legal challenges both within the United States and in receiving countries. Controversy stems partly from sending migrants to nations with which they have no cultural connections. For instance, US authorities previously considered deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a prominent figure in migration disputes, to Uganda in August. The United States has established similar agreements with at least seven African nations, including Ghana and Eswatini, with the latter receiving $5.1 million to accept up to 160 deportees. It remains unclear whether Ugandan authorities received comparable financial compensation.
Government Responses and Details
Ugandan State Minister for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem stated he was traveling and unaware of the arrivals when contacted. However, last month he informed The Associated Press that Uganda anticipated "planeloads" of deportees from the United States. Oryem emphasised that the agreement was signed in a pan-African spirit and out of humanitarian concern for Africans unwanted in foreign lands. Ugandan authorities have previously indicated that their arrangement with the United States involves receiving deportees of African origin without criminal records. No details have been provided regarding the identities or countries of origin of the twelve deportees, and the US Embassy in Kampala did not respond to inquiries about their welfare.
