world 23 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Canada offers lifeline to Ugandans facing deportation amid rights concerns
Canada has introduced a temporary exemption for certain Ugandans facing deportation, allowing them to reapply to stay in the country due to escalating human rights violations in Uganda. This measure specifically benefits individuals who fled Uganda between June 20, 2025, and June 19, 2026. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/canada-allows-ugandans-bound-for-deportation-to-re-apply-to-stay-5506362
The Canadian government has announced a significant policy shift, offering a chance for Ugandans facing deportation to have their cases reconsidered. This measure comes in response to reports of serious human rights violations within Uganda, creating potential risks for individuals compelled to return.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that heightened security and political concerns in Uganda have led to this temporary exemption. Typically, foreigners whose asylum claims are denied must wait 12 months before applying for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), a process that evaluates the dangers of returning to one’s home country, including persecution or torture. However, for Ugandans who arrived in Canada between June 20, 2025, and June 19, 2026, this waiting period has been waived.
This decision follows a period of significant political unrest in Uganda, including the General Elections held between June of last year and May of this year. Election observers from the African Union, COMESA, and IGAD reported widespread intimidation, arrests, and abductions of opposition figures and their supporters by security forces, creating an environment of fear and eroding public trust.
The Canadian government will review these cases on an individual basis. The announcement underscores a critical human rights record for Uganda, which could have broader implications, including for its tourism sector. This policy change is separate from measures addressing the Ebola outbreak.