Uganda Faces Scrutiny Over Deal too Host Migrants from the US
KAMPALA, Uganda – A recent agreement between the United States and Uganda to potentially accept migrants deported from the US is drawing criticism and raising concerns about transparency, consent, and the impact on Uganda, already Africa’s largest refugee-hosting nation. The deal, still provisional and under negotiation, has sparked debate as Uganda approaches general elections next year.
The arrangement, details of which remain largely undisclosed, aims to address international mobility challenges, but faces questions regarding the rights of those transferred and the sustainability of supporting an influx of additional individuals. Numerous uncertainties persist,including the number of deportees expected,their nationalities,the screening criteria for selection,and the duration of their stay in Uganda.Financial responsibilities between Washington and Kampala have not been publicly detailed.
Crucially, mechanisms for independent monitoring, access to legal counsel, appeal rights, and potential pathways to local integration or resettlement to third countries have yet to be established. Concerns are also mounting regarding the strain on Uganda’s already burdened refugee settlements and host districts, specifically relating to land use, water access, public health capacity, and social cohesion.
“The arrangement may shield the Ugandan government from critical scrutiny regarding its authoritarian practices,” argued Nicodemus Minde of the Institute for Security Studies. President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986 and aged 80, has indicated plans to seek another term, leading some to view external agreements as a means of bolstering international legitimacy while managing domestic dissent.
Uganda has long been recognized for its hospitality towards refugees. Though, observers emphasize that the sustainability of this approach hinges on adequate financing, obvious oversight, and robust support for local communities. The success of the deal will be judged on weather it represents responsible burden-sharing or simply shifts the burden onto uganda without providing sufficient resources and upholding legal standards for each individual case.
The arrangement is currently being intensely scrutinized, and its ultimate perception - as a collaborative solution or a problematic transfer of obligation – will depend on how these critical questions are addressed and whether Uganda’s capacity to support both existing and newly arriving populations is strengthened, not compromised.
