• Uganda to host migrants denied asylum in U.S.

• Excludes criminals, minors; prioritizes African nationals.

• Agreement details pending; political tension rising in Uganda.

Kampala and Washington have reached a cooperation agreement on migration matters, under which Uganda will host third-country nationals who have been denied asylum in the United States and who refuse or fear returning to their home countries.

According to a statement from Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs published on Thursday, August 21, the temporary arrangement excludes individuals with a criminal record and unaccompanied minors. Kampala further specified that it will prioritize hosting nationals from African countries.

The number of people the East African nation will receive and the effective date of the agreement are not yet known. However, the statement said that "the two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented."

This measure aligns with the intensified migration policy of the Trump administration since its return to the White House in January. Last month, Washington carried out expulsions to other African countries, including Eswatini and South Sudan.

With nearly 1.7 million refugees, mainly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda is already Africa's leading host country for displaced people, according to the United Nations. The implementation of this new agreement comes as the country is experiencing a tense political climate marked by increased repression ahead of the 2026 elections.

Charlène N’dimon