Online Reporter
KAMPALA. — Uganda has agreed to take in deportees from the United States, a top foreign affairs official aid yesterday.
Vincent Bagiire, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that Uganda has reached an agreement with the United States for cooperation in the examination of protection requests.
“The agreement is in respect of third country nationals who may not be granted asylum in the United States but are reluctant to or may have concerns about returning to their countries of origin,” Bagiire said.
“This is a temporary arrangement with conditions, including that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted,” he said. “Uganda also prefers that individuals from African countries shall be the ones transferred to Uganda.”
The agreement was first reported by CBS News, which said Washington had reached a similar deal with Honduras.
Last month, 13 men described as dangerous criminals were deported to Eswatini and South Sudan. Rwanda has reportedly agreed to accept 250 migrants from the US.
Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has cracked down on undocumented migrants – a key campaign promise that drew strong support. — Xinhua
