The United States government is set to deport Edward Nalwamba, a 78-year-old Ugandan pastor, back to Uganda, a country currently at the epicenter of a severe Ebola outbreak. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from lawyers and activists, who highlight the health risk to the deportee and the disregard of CDC travel advisories.
Edward Nalwamba's case: 24 years in the United States
Nalwamba arrived in the US in 2002 on a tourist visa for a religious conference. During his stay, he received threats that led him to apply for asylum, claiming he feared persecution in his home country for refusing to support President Yoweri Museveni. His asylum request was denied, but he was granted a stay of removal. However, in September 2025, that order was revoked, and Nalwamba was arrested and detained at a facility in Aurora, Colorado, run by private prison company GEO Group.
Health deterioration during detention
According to his attorney Joy Athanasiou, Nalwamba's health has declined sharply over nine months in detention. He contracted pneumonia without being informed, and now shows symptoms of an active virus, including chills, persistent cough, and rib pain. Requests for medical visits have been ignored as the deportation date approaches. Reverend Philip Eberhart, who has visited him regularly, describes him as a man who was once as active as a 50-year-old but is now confined to a wheelchair.
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The Ebola outbreak in Uganda and CDC recommendations
Uganda and neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo are at the heart of the latest Ebola outbreak, which has killed over 300 people. In early June 2026, the CDC issued a travel health notice for Uganda, recommending enhanced precautions. Despite this, the Trump administration has continued deportations to the country while cutting foreign aid that funded the outbreak response. The attorney argues that deporting Nalwamba makes no sense given the epidemic risk.
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Criticism of the second Trump administration's immigration policies
Nalwamba's case fits into a broader pattern of tightened immigration policies. Since January 2025, the Trump administration has drastically reduced humanitarian aid, almost entirely dismantling USAID, while simultaneously boosting funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and immigration operations. This strategy has been criticized by human rights groups as an assault on asylum principles and international protection. To explore the impact of restrictive policies, read about OpenAI restricting advanced model access in Europe, an example of how US decisions can have global repercussions.
Private detention centers and lack of transparency
During detention, Nalwamba's personal belongings were confiscated, including documents needed for his legal defense. His attorney has faced difficulties obtaining case files due to bureaucratic hurdles exacerbated by the new administration. The lack of transparency and reliance on private companies like GEO Group raise questions about detainee rights. The article on heatwaves altering brain function illustrates, in another context, how environmental conditions can affect health, a theme echoed in detention conditions.
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As the deportation scheduled for Tuesday approaches, the Greenwood Village community in Colorado is mobilizing to support Nalwamba. Reverend Eberhart stated: He is not a criminal in any way, shape or form, no record, nothing. In Uganda, he will be picked up by soldiers and we probably won't hear from him again. The White House, DHS, and CDC did not respond to requests for comment. For more on the Ebola outbreak, see the Wikipedia page on Ebola.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/the-us-is-about-to-deport-an-immigrant-to-the-center-of-the-ebola-crisis
