The Government of Canada has introduced a temporary policy shift allowing some Ugandans facing deportation to reapply to remain in the country, citing concerns over an “evolving security and political situation” and alleged human rights violations in Uganda.
The decision, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), removes the usual 12-month waiting period for certain Ugandan nationals and former residents to file a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), a mechanism used to determine whether a person would face persecution, torture, or serious harm if returned to their country of origin.
“Due to the evolving security and political situation in Uganda, including recent concerns about serious human rights violations, some Ugandan nationals and former residents of Uganda may face increased risks if required to return,” IRCC said in its statement, adding that eligible applicants who received final negative asylum decisions between June 20, 2025, and June 19, 2026, can now immediately seek review.
Under normal Canadian immigration rules, rejected asylum seekers must wait 12 months before applying for a PRRA.
Election violence cited
The Canadian move comes in the wake of growing international scrutiny of Uganda’s political environment, particularly following the 2026 general elections, which were widely criticised by observer missions for alleged intimidation, arrests, and abductions targeting opposition figures and supporters.
A joint election observation report by the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) documented “reports of intimidation, arrests and abductions of opposition leaders, candidates, supporters, media and civil society actors by the security forces,” noting that such actions “instilled fear and eroded public trust in the electoral process.”
The report further concluded that security agencies were, in some instances, operating outside their legal mandate and called for greater adherence to the rule of law.
Continued allegations of persecution
Opposition groups in Uganda argue that the political climate has remained tense even after the elections, with continued arrests and alleged abductions of political figures.
Among those cited is former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is currently on remand and has alleged he was tortured while detained in an undisclosed facility.
Several Ugandans are believed to have fled the country during and after the electoral period, seeking asylum in Canada and other Western countries.
Canadian authorities have indicated that each case will be assessed individually under the revised PRRA provisions, rather than through blanket determinations.
Uganda rejects implication of rights abuses
The Canadian statement, however, carries broader diplomatic implications, as it effectively signals concern about Uganda’s human rights record—an issue that could influence international perception and potentially affect sectors such as tourism and foreign investment.
The Ugandan government has in the past dismissed similar allegations of systemic abuse. In 2018, President Yoweri Museveni wrote to security agencies urging restraint and discipline, warning that misconduct by security personnel damages Uganda’s international reputation.
“The fundamental starting point is the NRA principle of being an army of the people… These must never be beaten, pushed or be barked at for any reason,” Museveni stated, emphasising respect for both Ugandans and foreign visitors.
Diplomatic balancing act
While Canada’s move is procedural within its immigration system, it places renewed spotlight on Uganda’s governance and human rights record at a sensitive political moment.
For Kampala, it presents a diplomatic challenge—balancing domestic political narratives with increasing international scrutiny.
For affected Ugandans in Canada, however, the policy shift offers a critical opportunity to reopen asylum claims at a time when return is viewed, by Ottawa, as potentially risky.
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