By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Ugandan citizens have raised concern about a deal between President Yoweri Museveni and his US counterpart, Donald Trump to transfer deported migrants to their country, wondering why parliamentary approval was not sought before the pact was reached.
They say the deal will ease political pressure on President Yoweri, who many have branded as authoritarian leader, ruling the East African country with iron fist for nearly four decades.
Ugandan officials have released few details about the agreement, although said they preferred to
Uganda had last week agreed to receive deportees of African origin into the country but says it does not want individuals with criminal records. Officials are yet to release details of the agreement.
US authorities have suggested Uganda as the possible location for high-profile detainee Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvador national who has been charged with human smuggling.
Abrego Garcia, the subject of an immigration saga, was detained on Monday by immigration officials in Baltimore. The Department of Homeland Security had in a statement said that he “is being processed for removal to Uganda.”
A local resident who have his name as Alex Masereka Joel said it didn’t make sense for Abrego Garcia to be sent to Uganda.
“He has totally no connection [to Africa]. I was reading that he speaks Spanish, he doesn’t speak English… So he is going to be thrown in a place where he will probably need like a translator,” Masereka Joel added.
Not enough details have been disclosed on what Uganda will receive in return for accepting deportees.
Negotiators for the Ugandan side are believed to have been reporting directly to President Museveni, who came to power since 1986.
Museveni was once viewed as a strong U.S. ally, especially for his support of counter-terrorism operations in Somalia when he deployed troops there to fight the al-Qaida-linked rebels of al-Shabab.
His influence in Washington has however waned in recent years.
Under the former President Joe Biden’s administration, he came under pressure over alleged corruption and anti-LGBTQ policies, as well as other rights abuses. Several Ugandan officials also faced sanctions.
