By Spy Uganda
The Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muwada Nkunyingi, has voiced concern over Uganda’s security and governance following a new bilateral agreement with the United States to host third-country immigrants.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week confirmed via its official X (Twitter) account that Uganda had agreed with Washington to cooperate on migration management. Under the deal, Uganda will temporarily host third-country nationals denied asylum in the United States but unwilling or unable to return to their countries of origin.
Permanent Secretary Vincent Waiswa clarified that the arrangement excludes individuals with criminal records or unaccompanied minors and will only apply to immigrants from African countries.
Opposition Questions Timing
Nkunyingi warned that the agreement could undermine democratic accountability, especially with the 2026 general elections approaching.
“It is concerning that this cooperation on migration comes amidst unresolved challenges regarding governance, the rule of law, and human rights in Uganda. The U.S. has sanctioned the regime before, urging reforms, but little has changed. This agreement should not become a shield for the government against accountability,” he said.
He urged the United States to keep democracy and human rights at the center of its engagement with Kampala. “We want countries of the world, including the U.S., to remain vigilant as Uganda heads into the next election,” he added.
Human Rights & Transparency
The Shadow Minister also stressed that respect for democratic values is critical not only for Ugandans but also for immigrants who may be hosted in the country.
“When we uphold democratic values, both Ugandans and those who come here will be safe. I have not seen details on safeguards for the immigrants to be hosted, and that is concerning,” Nkunyingi said. He added that while Uganda has a tradition of hospitality, such agreements must be legal, transparent, and inclusive.
He criticized the government for bypassing Parliament in the negotiations. “Legislators were not consulted, yet this deal has direct implications for the country. Parliament must be assured that protective clauses for the immigrants are included. Even now, Uganda struggles with translation services for the large refugee population already here,” he argued.
Uganda is already home to millions of refugees from neighboring conflict-affected countries. While not unprecedented—the country temporarily hosted Afghan evacuees under a U.S. arrangement in 2021—the scale of the latest deal remains unclear.
As the nation prepares for a heated 2026 election, the immigration agreement has sharpened debate over governance, transparency, and Uganda’s role in international humanitarian efforts.
