Netherlands plans to send migrants to Uganda under Trump‑style deal

The Dutch government is preparing to send dozens of migrants to Uganda under a deal similar to one struck by the Trump administration, despite possible legal and practical challenges.

Migration and Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel said that a "transit hub" in Uganda, where people would be deported, could start operating as early as next year, though his government was bracing for legal challenges, reports Financial Times.

Van Weel said the agreement was "in compliance with international law, with European law, with our national laws. But of course this will be appealed in the beginning and then we'll see whether or not that holds up."

He stressed that human rights were a central component of the agreement struck last month with Kampala, adding that the UN refugee agency UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) had been asked to manage the centres on the ground.

The deal resembles a similar arrangement secured by US President Donald Trump with Uganda in August to take in rejected asylum seekers from the United States. However, Washington does not seek the collaboration of UN agencies in its deportation plans.

Uganda's foreign ministry previously said it would prefer to take in individuals from African countries, excluding those with criminal records or unaccompanied minors.

Van Weel said the pilot project would primarily target people from the region, including "a large chunk of the countries surrounding Uganda". He argued that too many people remained in the Netherlands after their asylum claims were rejected, and that the scheme was intended both to resolve cases and to act as a deterrent.

The Dutch deal, which still needs to be finalised, would have Uganda take in people the Netherlands has been unable to return to their home countries. Van Weel added that LGBT+ people would not be sent to Uganda due to its discriminatory laws, which carry severe penalties.

Ugandan officials said they would accept only people without criminal records, of African origin, and not engaged in political activism. They also confirmed that unaccompanied minors would not be accepted.

Only about 20% of rejected asylum seekers in the EU are returned to their home countries, according to the European Commission. Among the reasons for the low rate is the refusal of their native countries to take them back and because some may abscond when ordered to leave the country.

The Netherlands is the second EU country to sign such an agreement with a non‑EU state, after Italy began sending rejected asylum seekers to Albania.

According to Eurostat, the Netherlands last year ordered about 19,000 people to leave the country but returned only around 4,200, with legal challenges and refusals by home countries cited as key obstacles.

Human rights activists and migration experts have criticised such schemes, warning of potential rights violations and questioning their effectiveness. Critics argue that investing in asylum infrastructure within Europe would be more efficient.

Van Weel declined to disclose the cost of the Uganda "transition hub" but said UN organisations were "positive towards the idea" of managing it, as they are already active in the country.