A group of 12 deportees from the United States has arrived in Uganda, marking the first known transfer under a controversial safe third country agreement between the two governments, according to officials and legal groups.
The individuals, described as third country nationals whose asylum claims in the United States had been rejected, landed at Entebbe International Airport earlier this week. Ugandan authorities confirmed the arrivals but provided limited details, including the nationalities of those deported.
The transfer signals a broader push by the United States government to relocate migrants to countries where they have no prior ties, part of an expanded deportation strategy that has drawn criticism from legal and human rights organizations.
According to a senior Ugandan government official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the deportees will remain in Uganda temporarily as part of a transition phase for potential onward transmission to other countries.
The agreement was first announced in August 2025, when Uganda said it would accept a limited number of individuals who were denied asylum in the United States but unwilling to return to their countries of origin.
Legal concerns emerge
U.S. officials say the transfers are being conducted in coordination with Ugandan authorities. Yasmeen Hibrawi, a public affairs counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, said the deportations are carried out in full cooperation with the Government of Uganda.
She said details of the cases would not be disclosed, citing privacy concerns and the confidential nature of diplomatic communications.
Ugandan officials have previously emphasized that the country will not accept deportees with criminal records or unaccompanied minors. Authorities have also indicated a preference for individuals of African origin, though the criteria for selection have not been fully disclosed.
Permanent Secretary Bagire Vincent Waiswa has underscored Uganda commitment to international refugee protections, particularly the principle of non refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may face harm.
Uganda already hosts nearly 2 million refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from neighboring countries including South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The country is widely regarded as having one of Africa most progressive refugee policies, allowing freedom of movement and access to services.
The Uganda Law Society has strongly condemned the deportations and announced plans to challenge the agreement in court. In a statement, the group described the process as undignified, harrowing and dehumanizing, arguing that it violates constitutional and international legal standards.
The organization said the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement raises serious concerns about accountability and oversight.
Critics argue that relocating asylum seekers to unfamiliar countries places them at risk and undermines international protections. Human rights groups have also questioned whether Uganda has the capacity to absorb additional arrivals given existing pressures on its refugee system.
Data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows more than 63000 individuals were in detention as of 12 March. Reports by advocacy organizations have highlighted conditions in detention centers, including the presence of children and families.
Uganda is not alone in accepting deportees under such arrangements. Other African nations, including Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda and South Sudan, have either received or agreed to receive individuals deported from the United States.
In some cases, deportees originate from countries far outside Africa, including Cuba, Jamaica, Yemen, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.
The United States government has defended the approach as a way to manage migration flows and reduce pressure on its asylum system. However, the policy has sparked debate over its legality and ethical implications.
Ugandan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Oryem Okello previously suggested that logistical considerations, including cost efficiency, may influence how deportation flights are organized.
He said transporting larger groups at once would be more effective than handling small numbers of individuals at a time.
It remains unclear how many additional deportees could be sent to Uganda under the agreement. Reports indicate that hundreds of asylum seekers in the United States may have received removal orders designating Uganda as a destination.
Uganda foreign ministry has not publicly outlined the full scope of the deal, including whether financial arrangements are involved.
For now, the arrival of the first group has intensified scrutiny of the agreement and raised broader questions about the future of international asylum systems.
As legal challenges move forward and more details emerge, the situation is likely to remain a focal point in debates over migration policy, human rights and global responsibility sharing.
