(MENAFN) Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to a deportee agreement signed with the United States, despite widespread criticism both domestically and internationally, a top government official stated on Monday.

Deputy Solicitor General Charles Ouma told reporters that such bilateral agreements are standard practice between nations pursuing shared interests. "I know it may have caused some uproar in the media, both locally and internationally, but definitely countries can cooperate in areas they feel have mutual interest in," Ouma said.

When pressed about reports suggesting potential trade-offs in the arrangement, Ouma declined to provide details.

He emphasized that the deal remains temporary and under negotiation. "This is a temporary arrangement with conditions, including that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted. Uganda also prefers that individuals from African countries be the ones transferred to Uganda," he added.

Last month, Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified the pact involves third-country nationals who might not qualify for asylum in the U.S. but are either unwilling or hesitant to return to their countries of origin.

Should the agreement be fully enacted, Uganda will join Rwanda and South Sudan as African nations receiving deportees from the United States. Rwanda recently confirmed it accepted seven migrants from the U.S. in August, marking the first arrivals under a new bilateral resettlement deal.

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