Uganda is expected, according to Kathimerini, to host in 2027 the first “return hub” promoted by five EU countries — Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Greece — for people whose asylum applications have been rejected and who do not leave Europe voluntarily. The pilot facility is initially expected to accommodate 5,000–10,000 people.
The aim is for rejected asylum seekers to be temporarily transferred to Uganda until their return to their country of origin, or to another third country, can be arranged. According to the report, the logic behind the plan is that detention in a third country would also act as an incentive for voluntary return. Negotiations with Uganda are ongoing, while Rwanda is reportedly being considered as an alternative.
Similar plans to detain migrants in third countries — such as the UK–Rwanda scheme and the Italy–Albania arrangement — have faced serious legal obstacles.
The plan is based on the EU’s new Returns Regulation, on which the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement in June 2026. The new framework allows EU member states to establish return hubs through agreements with third countries.
Human rights organisations have warned of risks including arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and the weakening of safeguards against refoulement. Similar models, such as the UK’s Rwanda plan and the Italy–Albania agreement, have already faced serious legal challenges.
Source: Κathimerini
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