Uganda Denies Having Deal With United States to Host Deportees, SA Says: “Africa Is Not a Dustbin”

• An official in the Ugandan government has denied that the country has a deal to host deportees from the United States
• The Department of Homeland Security in the US has already deported dangerous criminals to the Kingdom of Eswatini
• South Africans shared their thoughts online, with annoyance and amusement, the common reactions among citizens were

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

UGANDA – A senior official in the Ugandan government has denied that the country will be accepting migrants from the United States of America.

Okello Oryem, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed the rumours, saying that he was not aware of them. CBS News reported on Tuesday, 21 August 2025, that Uganda and Honduras had agreed to take in people deported from the US.

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The Kingdom of Eswatini also has an agreement in place with the Donald Trump administration to house violent criminals, but Oryem denied that the same thing was happening in Uganda.

What did Oryem say?

In a message to Reuters, Oryem addressed the issue, saying that the country didn’t have the facilities for it.

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

The East African country already hosts nearly two million refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly from other countries in the region. The Trump administration aims to deport millions of immigrants to third countries, meaning that Uganda could receive non-African citizens if the report is true.

The deal with Eswatini, for instance, will see the Southern African country host violent criminals from the US. The decision has raised serious concern within the South African government.

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How did South Africans react to the news?

Social media users weighed in on the news with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. While some said that Africa shouldn't be treated as a dumping ground, others found the funnier side to it.

Chris from X asked:

“If Uganda doesn't have the facilities, how does Eswatini have them?”

Stanley joked:

“I'm building rooms to rent, let them come to Mzansi.”

Unofficial The Insider stated:

“ It sounds like they would take them in, if they didn't lack the accommodation.”

Thabang Mol said:

“Gosh, I know the SA government would jump if the USA said jump. They better not even think about it. Why are these people not sent to their country of origin in the first place though?

Thamae Thamae Jr. added:

“The USA must take those people to that country that Mnangagwa runs like a spaza shop. There’s hardly anyone there anyway, and there’s plenty of land.”

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Crisz Nyiko stated:

“The USA is doing right. I wish South Africa can wake up and stop accommodating people from other countries without documents.”

Thembelani Zuma exclaimed:

“Africa is not a dumping site.”

Mzuvukile Ndobe Mbukushe stated:

"It is an insult to Africa to be seen as a dumping place for hardened criminals."

David Movet Banda asked:

"Why dump them in Africa?"

Jeremiah Mahlalela stated:

"There is no need to be a Trump dustbin. He is undermining us by sending the USA's unwanted criminals."

Brian Muchuweni added:

"The USA takes Africa as a dumping site. I blame our leaders."

Johan Leo said:

"Does America pay to dump unwanted people in African countries? Looks like a swap for white South Africans.

Trump meets with West African leaders

Briefly News reported that Trump hosted the presidents of five African countries at the White House on 9 July 2025.

The United States of America is aiming to strengthen economic ties with the African nations, which are rich in minerals.

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Social media users criticised the African leaders, saying the USA was using them for their mineral wealth.

Source: Briefly News