Uganda has reportedly agreed to receive an unspecified number of African migrants deported from the United States, according to a report by CBS News. The move is said to be part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown aimed at reducing illegal migration into the U.S.
This development comes weeks after the Daily Monitor revealed that Uganda was in negotiations with Washington to avoid harsh measures, including a proposed visa ban on Ugandan passport holders and a 15% tariff on Ugandan exports. Officials indicated that Uganda had until August 1 to commit to a deal.
On Tuesday, CBS News reported—citing U.S. government documents—that a deal had been finalized. Under the arrangement, Uganda would accept African migrants being deported, provided they do not have a criminal record. However, the exact number of migrants and when deportation flights will start remain unclear.
Despite the CBS report, Uganda’s State Minister for International Relations, Henry Oryem Okello, dismissed the story as “lies and rubbish.”
“Yes, we are talking with our friends in the U.S. about visas, tariffs, sanctions, and AGOA,” Okello said. “But there is no discussion on taking illegal aliens from the U.S.” He questioned why Uganda would accept “cartels and drug dealers” and stressed that Uganda, though known for its open refugee policy, would not enter such an agreement without proper planning.
In contrast, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, gave a different response, confirming that negotiations with the U.S. have been ongoing for months, covering trade and immigration issues.
“We are actively engaged with the U.S. on tariffs and immigration, but I cannot share the details now,” Ayebare said. He is part of a special committee appointed by President Museveni to handle these talks.
According to CBS News, the deal relies on a “safe third country” provision in U.S. immigration law. This allows the U.S. to send asylum seekers to another country deemed safe to handle their cases for humanitarian protection.
Since his return to the White House in January, President Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Deportations have already been reported to El Salvador, Brazil, Haiti, and in Africa to South Sudan, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
The U.S. embassy in Kampala declined to comment, saying the talks were part of private diplomatic negotiations.
If confirmed, this would mark a significant shift in Uganda-U.S. relations. Uganda has long been praised for hosting refugees from neighboring countries like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, accepting deportees from the U.S. could raise political, economic, and security concerns, as well as public debate on whether Uganda is being pressured due to trade negotiations.
