Uganda stands with refugees

Jun 21, 2017

According to the OPM, the population of refugees in Adjumani had almost outstripped that of residents




Uganda is set to host the solidarity summit on Friday. It is expected to be attended by over 30 heads of government, heads of agencies of the UN system and donors to secure new funding for the refugees and host communities in Uganda. Uganda hopes to raise $2b (sh7.1 trillion) at the solidarity summit for refugees to provide services to the increasing number of exiles and the host communities. Vision Reporters write

Millions of refugees fleeing conflict and famine in South Sudan, Burundi, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have found sanctuary in Uganda, thanks to the country's compassionate refugee policy.

Uganda is the second-largest refugee-hosting country in the world after Turkey, with a refugee population nearing one million.

Uganda has one of the world's most compassionate refugee policies, which grants migrants land to build a home and rights to travel and work that are unheard of elsewhere.

The United Nations high commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi, recently warned that Uganda was on breaking point, with over 3,000 refugees entering the country daily.

Initially, the UN expected roughly 300,000 South Sudanese refugees to come to Uganda in 2017, but by March this year, the estimate had risen to 400,000.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, said: "Uganda has continued to maintain open borders, but this unprecedented mass influx is placing enormous strain on our public services and local infrastructure."

Focus on refugees

The World Refugee Day, which was celebrated yesterday is observed every year in order to raise public awareness about the plight of refugees throughout the world.

The day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in the Resolution 55/76 on December 4, 2000 and worldwide celebrations started in 2001.

The 2001 World Refugee Day celebration also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention on Refugees status by the United Nations General Assembly.

Since 2001, the day has been celebrated annually all over the world, although on different dates in many countries.

"In Uganda, refugees are provided with a variety of life-saving assistance, safety and protection by government agencies and organisations. The goal of celebrating this day is to increase public awareness among the public by sharing refugee-related stories," says Apollo Kazungu, the commissioner for refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY

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