The Dutch government has made significant progress in its plan to relocate asylum seekers to Uganda, following ongoing discussions between the two countries aimed at reaching a formal agreement.
Reports indicate that the Netherlands has been in negotiations with Uganda for some time. The asylum seekers to be relocated will be those who have legally recognized claims to residence in the Netherlands.
It is reported that those to be sent to Uganda will primarily come from neighboring countries, although it is possible that individuals from more distant nations could also be included in the relocation program.
This agreement closely resembles the arrangement the Netherlands’ European counterpart, the United Kingdom, had pursued with Rwanda, although it has yet to be fully implemented as originally intended.
The issue of asylum seekers remains highly sensitive in the Netherlands, prompting the government to adopt measures aimed at reducing the number of incoming migrants. In 2023 alone, the country received over 38,000 asylum applications, an 8% increase compared to the previous year.
