US deports eight people 'of African origin' to Uganda

Eight people "of African origin" were deported from the United States to Uganda on Wednesday, marking the first such transfer under a migration deal signed last year. Uganda's foreign ministry stated the agreement designates the country as a safe third country for migrants who cannot return to their home countries due to reasons like persecution. The Uganda Law Society condemned the deportations, calling the process illegal and dehumanizing, and announced plans to challenge it in court. The US Department of Homeland Security has not yet commented. Uganda maintains it is upholding its commitment to providing sanctuary and treating individuals with dignity, specifying the deportees are neither Ugandan nor US citizens. Uganda is among several African nations that have agreed to accept deportees from the US.

Legal groups in Uganda are challenging the deportation of a dozen people from the United States to Uganda, which occurred on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Uganda Law Society and the East Africa Law Society have gone to court to fight the deportations, calling them "transnational repression." The deportees arrived at Entebbe International Airport via private aircraft, marking the first confirmed instance of deportees being transferred from the US to Uganda. This deportation is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to deport immigrants to "third countries." Uganda is one of at least six African countries that have agreements with the US to accept deportees, prioritizing those from other African nations and excluding unaccompanied children and those with criminal records.

A US deportation flight carrying 12 people landed in Uganda, marking the first such transfer under an agreement signed in August. The deportees, whose nationalities are undisclosed, will remain in Uganda as a transition before potential relocation to other countries. The Uganda Law Society condemned the deportations and plans to file legal challenges. The US embassy in Kampala confirmed the deportations are in cooperation with the Ugandan government, but declined to provide details. Uganda agreed to accept individuals who may not receive US asylum but are unwilling to return to their home countries, excluding those with criminal records or unaccompanied minors. Uganda already hosts nearly 2 million refugees, primarily from neighboring East African countries.