MUSEVENI, US SECRETARY RUBIO HOLD TALKS AFTER MIGRANTS DEAL

President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday August 21, 2025, evening held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, hours after Kampala confirmed a controversial deal to host some migrants deported from the United States.
According to a readout seen by The Kenya Times, the two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation on migration, reciprocal trade, and commercial partnerships. Rubio praised Uganda as “a model of regional stability,” citing its peacekeeping contributions in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The call followed Uganda’s announcement that it had agreed to a temporary arrangement with Washington to take in certain asylum seekers who cannot remain in the U.S. and are unable to safely return to their home countries. The agreement will only cover individuals without criminal records, excluding unaccompanied minors, and will prioritize African nationals.
While the framework has been outlined, key details—including the number of migrants Uganda will receive and the financial support to be provided—are still under negotiation. The deal has drawn criticism from opposition figures and rights groups, who warn it could burden Uganda’s overstretched refugee system.
Thursday’s conversation marks the first high-level engagement between Kampala and Washington since the deal was made public, signaling efforts to expand bilateral ties beyond migration to include trade and investment.