China extends sh3.7b support to Uganda’s refugee response

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China has announced $1m (sh3.7b) to support Uganda’s refugee response. The support was announced by Charge d' Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Kampala, Fan Xuecheng, during the launch of the China-funded Humanitarian Assistance Grant Project (CHAP), officiated by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at the Prime Minister’s Office (OPM) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

“We officially kick off the implementation of China’s $1m cash emergency humanitarian assistance for refugees sheltered in Uganda. Last December, the assistance fund was fully disbursed to the Ugandan side. Starting today, hot meals, bread, hygiene supplies and other daily necessities will be delivered to those in urgent need, effectively alleviating their hardship and mitigating the humanitarian situation,” Xuecheng said.

He said emergency humanitarian assistance was a concrete action to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC {Forum on China-Africa Cooperation} Summit in Beijing in 2024.

Uganda currently hosts about two million refugees, mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Burundi, among other countries.

Fan Xuecheng, Charge d'Affaires ad Interim of the Chinese Embassy (left), looks on as Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja. Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda makes her remarks during the launch of the OPM-China Emergency Humanitarian Cash Assistance Project. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

The latest support, Nabbanja said, reflected the growing and mutually beneficial partnership between Uganda and the People’s Republic of China, grounded in shared values of solidarity, cooperation, and a common commitment to advancing global humanitarian efforts. 

“As you are aware, Uganda’s progressive open-door refugee policy continues to serve as a model of compassion and inclusivity. However, the growing refugee numbers and the challenges of hosting displaced persons demand that we continually strengthen our national systems and response mechanisms,” Nabbanja said.

Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja (left) Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda and Minister of State for Relief, Hon. Eng. Hilary Onek (centre), Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees and Hon. Dr. Lillian Aber (right) and Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, during the launch of the OPM-China Emergency Humanitarian Cash Assistance Project. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

According to the Premier, the project was both timely and strategic, and it will significantly enhance Uganda’s capacity to respond effectively in priority locations, while ensuring that refugees and host communities receive the protection, assistance, and opportunities they deserve.

The relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, Eng. Hillary Onek welcomed China’s support, stressing that Uganda’s refugee response is facing outstanding challenges with dwindling financing.

“China has always remained Uganda's friend, over the years, right from even before we got independence, and you have stood with us during the difficult days and right now, where we are having challenges, because our resources are not able to look after this large number of refugees,” Onek said.



Globally, refugee response has also not been spared the repercussions of the Trump administration’s aid cut, resulting in many global financing entities pulling out.

“The Office of the Prime Minister is facing challenges of how to accommodate this large number of people without this international support, but you’re coming in is timely, and we really appreciate that China has come on board,” Nabbanja said.

Wycliffe Nsheka, the country director of Finn Church Aid, the project implementing partner, disclosed that the China aid will be used to support the new arrivals at Nakivale and Kyangwali refugee settlements located in Isingiro and Kikuube districts, respectively. The two settlements, he said, currently receive at least 1000 refugees a month.