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By Alexander Luyima | Hoima Post
Alexander Luyima is an immigration law student and researcher based in Canada
The U.S. government’s plan to deport Kilmar Abrego García — an alleged cartel-linked human trafficker with a long criminal record — to Uganda has triggered outrage and disbelief. García, who refused a plea deal that would have seen him sent to Costa Rica, is now being redirected to Uganda, a country with no cultural, legal, or historical ties to him.
For many Ugandans, the burning questions are: Why Uganda? Who agreed to this? And what does Uganda gain from it?
Uganda’s Burden
Uganda is already struggling with high unemployment, corruption, insecurity, and mounting economic pressure. Accepting a convicted trafficker would only add to the country’s vulnerabilities. Deportations are supposed to return individuals to their country of citizenship — not offload criminals onto nations with no connection to them.
“This looks less like justice and more like exploitation,” argues Dr. Samuel Kiggundu, a Kampala-based legal analyst.
Who Is Answerable?
If García’s plane touches down in Entebbe, Ugandans will demand answers. Questions loom over the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and even State House. Was Parliament consulted? Did ordinary Ugandans have a say?
Uganda has a history of striking secretive international deals — from opaque military contracts to refugee resettlement arrangements — often without public scrutiny. “The fear is that Uganda has been offered money or political favors in exchange for accepting someone else’s criminal burden,” says regional political commentator Sarah Okello.
The Ugandan People Speak
Voices of anger are rising both inside and outside the country.
Deogratius Male, a celebrated journalist now based in Canada, put it bluntly:
“This is not deportation. It is criminal dumping. Uganda is not a trash can for America’s problems.”
Ronald Kasirye, another respected journalist in North America, added:
“We cannot sit back and watch our country be used as a dumping ground. The diaspora is watching closely, and we demand answers from Kampala.”
Within Uganda, civil society leaders are equally outraged. “We are struggling with joblessness, poverty, and rising insecurity. Why would anyone think importing a trafficker is acceptable?” asks Josephine Nabirye, an activist in Kampala.
Where Is Parliament?
Parliament has so far remained silent. Opposition members have hinted at unease, but there has been no official debate or resolution. For many citizens, this silence confirms fears that lawmakers are either being sidelined or simply unwilling to confront the matter.
“This is about more than García,” says Dr. Kiggundu. “It is about sovereignty. If Parliament cannot speak on such a matter, then who governs Uganda? Are decisions for the people made by their representatives, or by a few officials behind closed doors?”
A Dangerous Precedent
If García is dumped in Uganda, it sets a troubling precedent: that powerful nations can export their unwanted criminals to weaker states with no connections to them. For Uganda, this not only risks importing organized crime but also undermines an already fragile security landscape.
A Call to the International Community
Ugandans are calling for global attention. Deporting criminals to countries with no ties to them is not justice — it is international dumping. If unchallenged, it won’t stop with Uganda. Other vulnerable nations could be forced to shoulder the same burden.
As Male warns:
“If the world stays silent, tomorrow it will not just be Uganda. Any weak nation could be forced to carry another country’s burden.”
The outrage is real. The silence of Uganda’s leadership is deafening. And the demand for accountability has never been louder.
What Ugandans Are Saying
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“We are tired of being treated like a weak state. Why should Uganda carry the shame of someone who is not even Ugandan?”
– Civil servant, Kampala -
“This is dangerous for our children. If he is a trafficker, what networks might he bring into Uganda?”
– Parent, Jinja -
“We are not consulted, yet it is us who suffer the consequences. Let our leaders come out and explain.”
– University student, Makerere -
“As Ugandans in the diaspora, we cannot watch silently. We left home but we still love it. This is not acceptable.”
– Ugandan diaspora member in Canada
By Alexander Luyima | Hoima Post
Alexander Luyima is an immigration law student and researcher based in Canada
