Uganda has finalized a ‘temporary agreement’ with the United States to manage the transfer of certain third-country nationals who cannot obtain asylum in the US but under stricter terms.
The deal targets individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their countries of origin.
In a statement this morning, Thursday 21st August, 2025 Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs confirmed this deal but emphasized the conditional nature of the arrangement.
“This is a temporary arrangement. Individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted. Uganda also prefers that those transferred are from African countries,” said Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, Permanent Secretary.
The Ministry’s statement comes after State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Oryem Okello said that Uganda lacks the resources and is no position to facilitate these migrants.
The clarification comes amid growing debate in both Kampala and Washington over Trump’s policy of expanding “third-country agreements” to reduce asylum claims in the US.
Currently, the two governments are still finalizing operational details, including the process of transfer and measures to ensure the protection and rights of eligible migrants.
The agreement falls under the US third-country deportation programme, which allows migrants denied asylum to be temporarily rerouted to willing host countries. Uganda joins South Sudan, Rwanda, and Eswatini in participating in the initiative.
Uganda currently hosts about 1.7 million refugees, the largest refugee population in Africa. Officials stressed that the transfers will be managed responsibly, prioritizing the safety and rights of migrants.
