Uganda Denies U.S. Deportation Deal

Tone & Political Bias: Center-leaning

Why: The reporting is straightforward and fact-based, presenting denials from Ugandan officials while citing U.S. media reports, without clear partisan framing.

Uganda Rejects Reported Agreement

Uganda’s government has denied reports that it agreed to receive people deported from the United States. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem told Reuters that no such arrangement had been finalized and emphasized that the country lacks the facilities to host deportees.

“To the best of my knowledge, we have not reached such an agreement,” Oryem said in a text message. “We do not have the facilities and infrastructure to accommodate such illegal immigrants in Uganda.”

U.S. Media Report

CBS News reported on Tuesday that Washington had reached deportation deals with both Uganda and Honduras. The report cited internal U.S. government documents and said the deals were part of an effort by the Trump administration to expand migrant removals.

The CBS account suggested the agreements would rely on a provision of U.S. immigration law that allows asylum seekers to be rerouted to third countries if U.S. authorities decide those nations can provide a fair asylum process.

Honduras Response Pending

While Uganda quickly rejected the claim, Honduras did not immediately respond to Reuters inquiries about whether it had entered into such a deal with the United States.

Trump Administration Deportation Push

President Donald Trump has pledged to deport millions of immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally. His administration has sought to widen removals to third countries. In recent years, deportations have included sending convicted criminals to nations such as South Sudan and Eswatini, despite those countries not being the migrants’ original homes.

Uganda’s Refugee Role

Uganda is considered a close U.S. ally in East Africa. The country currently hosts nearly two million refugees and asylum seekers. Most of them come from neighboring states, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Officials point out that managing this large refugee population already places a heavy burden on Uganda’s infrastructure and resources. Accepting deportees from the U.S. would add new strain to a system that is already stretched.

Legal Context

The reported U.S. policy would rely on a section of immigration law that permits asylum seekers to be sent to a third country deemed safe. While Washington has explored this option with several nations, the legitimacy and practicality of such deals often face scrutiny, both from human rights advocates and from the countries named.

Key Takeaway

• Uganda denies reaching a deportation deal with the U.S.

• CBS News cited U.S. government documents claiming such a deal existed.

• Honduras has not yet commented on whether it agreed to a similar arrangement.

• Trump’s administration is seeking to expand deportations through third-country agreements.

• Uganda already hosts almost two million refugees and says it lacks resources to take in deportees from the U.S.