Eight people from different African countries have been deported to Uganda from the United States, the first such transfer under a migration deal signed last year. The group arrived on Wednesday after a US judge approved their cases, Uganda's foreign ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry said its deal with the US designated Uganda as a safe third country for migrants who cannot return to their countries due to reasons such as persecution.
However, the Uganda Law Society has condemned the deportations, describing the individuals' transfer as undignified, harrowing and dehumanising. The organization has indicated plans to challenge the legality of the process in court.
The BBC has sought comments from the US Department of Homeland Security regarding the incident.
Since assuming office, President Donald Trump's administration has implemented a series of strict immigration policies, including the deportation of numerous individuals to third countries like Uganda as part of its hardline approach to immigration.
Uganda's foreign ministry stated that the deportees were neither Ugandan nor US citizens, but individuals of African origin who may have concerns about returning to their home countries. They reportedly do not have criminal histories, as Uganda agreed to treat migrants without a criminal background in line with the US's criteria for third-country deportations.
This decision aligns with Uganda's broader commitments to provide sanctuary to individuals in need while ensuring they are treated with dignity. Nevertheless, the deportations signal a contentious development in the ongoing debate about immigration policies and the treatment of migrants.
