Full Breakdown
US Plans Deportation of Elderly Pastor to Ebola-Stricken Uganda
6/27/2026, 1:36:05 AM
Imminent Deportation to Ebola-Impacted Uganda
The United States is set to deport Edward Nalwamba, a 78-year-old retired pastor, to Uganda on Tuesday. Nalwamba, who entered Colorado in 2002, has been detained for nine months after his deportation order was revoked in September 2025. His health has sharply declined. Uganda and neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo are the epicenter of an Ebola outbreak that has killed over 300 people.
Context and Key Figures
Nalwamba says he was seized and interrogated during Uganda’s 2001 election after refusing to urge his congregation to support President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled since 1986. Court filings from 2010 document the alleged targeting. The deportation follows policy changes attributed to President Donald Trump’s administration: since January 2025 the U.S. has cut foreign assistance, ending the U.S. Agency for International Development, while allocating billions to the Department of Homeland Security and immigration enforcement.
Health Risks and Data
CDC issued a travel health notice for Uganda this month, urging “enhanced precautions.” The outbreak has caused over 300 deaths. Nalwamba’s deteriorating health raises concerns about his ability to survive a return to an area with active viral transmission.
Why It Matters
The case sits at the intersection of immigration enforcement, humanitarian protection, and public-health risk. Deporting a medically vulnerable individual to a region with a lethal epidemic raises questions about compliance with international non-refoulement standards and the adequacy of health safeguards in U.S. removal procedures.
Official Statements
The CDC’s notice advises “enhanced precautions” for anyone entering Uganda.
Criticism
Nalwamba’s attorney and a friend warn his rapid health decline makes the deportation hazardous. Human-rights groups argue the removal violates non-refoulement principles that forbid sending individuals to places where they face serious health threats.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
It is unclear how many other immigrants are slated for removal to Uganda under policies. Medical assessments of Nalwamba’s condition have not been released, leaving a gap in evaluating the true risk of his return.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The United States is preparing to deport a 78-year-old retired pastor to Uganda, a country in East Africa near the center of the Ebola outbreak.” — Wired, News outlet
- “Uganda, and its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are at the epicenter of the latest Ebola outbreak, which has killed more than 300 people.” — Wired, News outlet
- “According to his attorney and one of his friends, Nalwamba’s health has declined precipitously in the nine months he has been in immigration detention, adding to concerns about deporting him to an outbreak zone.” — Wired, News outlet
What's Next
Nalwamba is scheduled for removal on Tuesday. Legal challenges are expected, and the case may prompt scrutiny of U.S. deportation practices during health emergencies.
