Henry Okello Oryem the state minister in charge of international relations in the ministry of foreign affairs has confirmed that the lifting of the travel and other related sanctions that the United States of America (USA) slapped on Uganda government and security bosses has delayed the conclusion of the negotiations of deporting illegal and dangerous immigrants from America to Uganda
In August 2025, it was reported that Uganda was among the countries that were in talks with US government to take illegal immigrants, others were Rwanda, Ghana and Nigeria.
However, Kilmar Abrego Garcia one of the prominent immigrant who was set to be deported to Uganda protested the deal insisting that his life will be in danger if deported to Uganda given the country’s bad record when it comes to human rights.
Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told this website that the negotiations have not only centred on illegal immigrants but they are also looking at economic and military dealings which were under threat under president Joe Biden’s leadership.
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Sources said that president Museveni has been directly supervising the negotiations which are led by Adonia Ayebare Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Robie Kakonge Uganda’s ambassador to Washington, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Ramathan Ggoobi the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development and also secretary to the treasury, and other top lobbyists hired by Ugandan government.
The American team is headed by William Popp the American ambassador in Uganda who consults Washington on every step reached in the negotiations.
The Ugandan team wanted President Donald Trump to change his mind on the 10% tax slapped on Ugandan products put on the American market on grounds that Uganda is also not taxing American products sold on Ugandan market apart from second hand clothes.
Sources said that the Americans insist that Uganda is benefiting a lot from American market citing the 2024 report which indicated that Uganda sold products worth Shs472bn in US market compared to America’s Shs60bn in Ugandan Market.
Sources said that to beef up his team, Museveni directed his team to always consult Mull Katende, a retired Ugandan ambassador to Washington who was very versed with negotiations because he was the one who initiated them when was still in the office
When Museveni always summons Popp to State House, he pleads with him to be soft on Uganda’s side when he briefs the American government on whatever takes place.
Highly placed sources at the American embassy in Uganda confirmed to this website that even though other issues are proceeding well, the issue of lifting sanctions placed on top government officials was dismissed at an early stage of the negotiations by United States Secretary of States Marc Robio on behalf of President Trump.
“The minister (Oryem) is speaking the truth, sanctioning someone takes a lot of investigations, verifications of the facts gathered, consultation of a number of stakeholders to confirm that the actions of the suspect are against America’s interests and objectives. So, there is no urgent deal that can force president Trump to wave the laws to cater for those Ugandans affected by US sanctions,” a source at the US embassy in Uganda said.
He added that the issue of illegal immigrants is soon going to be solved because a number of them have been deported to Ghana and other countries because many of them don’t wish to be brought to Uganda because they are scared that their home countries may connive with Ugandan officials which will put their lives in danger.
Human Rights law giant Nicholas Opio recently revealed that it is very difficult to lift the sanctions placed on the affected Ugandan official. He warned those affected to be careful with fraudsters who claim that if they give them money, they can compromise the system and the sanctions are lifted.
Sources said that when Gen Edward Kale Kayihura, the former Police Chief was sanctioned on grounds of violating human rights, being involved in illegal smuggling and corruption, he tried to hire American lawyers to work with his local lawyers to institute a lawsuit against the US government. He was however advised not to waste his money because he was not going to win the litigation.
Others who are desperately fighting against the sanctions slapped on them include Annet Anita Among the speaker of parliament who was sanctioned on allegations of involving in human rights violation, corruption and like Kayihura, her bank accounts in America, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates were frozen and their multibillion properties confiscated.
When Trump was elected as American president, Among boasted of how he was going to help her to lift the sanction. However, sources at the American embassy in Uganda told this website that Among is not among the people sanctioned that can give Trump sleepless nights for him to save her.
Others sanctioned are; Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, AIGP Frank Mwesigwa, Maj Gen James Birungi, AIGP Christopher Ddamulira, retired High Court Judge Moses Mukiibi and a number of others.
