Uganda accepts 12 deportees from the US under Trump deal

A group of 12 deportees from the United States landed in Uganda on Thursday, the Uganda Law Society said, marking the first transfer under a bilateral agreement that designates Uganda as a destination for migrants the US cannot return to their home countries.

Yasmeen Hibrawi, public affairs counsellor at the US Embassy in Kampala, said that all transfers under a Safe Third Country Agreement, signed by both countries, "are in full cooperation with the Government of Uganda."

"We do not, however, discuss the details of our private diplomatic communications and for privacy reasons, we cannot discuss the particulars to their cases," Hibrawi said.

'Transition phase'

A senior Ugandan government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrivals and said the deportees would remain in Uganda as part of "a transition phase for potential onward transmission to other countries."

It was not clear what nationalities the deportees were.

The arrivals make Uganda the latest African nation to accept non-national deportees from the US, joining others such as Ghana, South Sudan, Cameroon, and Eswatini.

The law society said the deportees arrived at Entebbe International Airport early on Thursday.

Uganda says it will not accept deportees with criminal records

In August, Kampala announced its deal with Washington, stipulating Uganda would take in individuals denied asylum in the US.

Ugandan officials have clarified they will not accept deportees with criminal records or unaccompanied minors, favouring individuals of African descent.