Dutch Premier Schoof lauds Uganda refugee policy at AU-EU summit in Luanda

LUANDA - Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof has appreciated the Government of Uganda at the highest political level for what he has called its outstanding commitment to hosting refugees and showing a good model of refugee hosting in Africa.

The premier expressed his pleasure while meeting his Ugandan counterpart, Robinah Nabbanja, on the sidelines of the Seventh European Union-African Union summit in Angola's capital, Luanda, on November 24, 2025.

He particularly thanked the Government of Uganda for the collaboration between the two countries on migration issues, including the signing of the letter of intent on migration issues on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2025.

According to Schoof, the Netherlands is looking forward to working with Uganda to operationalising the letter of intent. 

Schoof said Uganda is a cradle of peace in the region and thanked the President and the country for all their peace efforts in the region, according to a stament from the Office of Uganda's prime minister.

Uganda is host to over 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers. This is the largest refugee population in Africa and the 6th largest in the world.

The country also has the most progressive refugee policy environment, which is guided by the 2006 Refugee Act and the 2010 Refugee Regulations.

For instance, refugees are allowed to move freely within the country, have the right to work, open businesses, own land, access public services, open bank accounts and access loans.

Schoof said Uganda is a cradle of peace in the region and thanked the President and the country for all their peace efforts in the region, according to a stament from the Office of Uganda's prime minister.

Pan Africanism drives us

On her part, Nabbanja told Schoof that Uganda hosts many refugees 'out of pan Africanism and humanity'. 

According to Nabbanja, whose office directly handles refugees, their numbers have reduced a bit compared to the past, especially with some of them, like those hailing from Barundi, choosing to go back home. 

However, several refugees have opted to remain in Uganda due to the instability and armed conflict in their couintries, especially those from Sudan and South Sudan. 

Fill gap left by US fund freeze

Nabbanja, who invited Schoof to Uganda, requested the Dutch to step in and fill the gap left by the US pulling out of supporting refugee programmes in Uganda. 

She noted that Uganda needs partners to help with supporting her hosting of these very large numbers of refugees. 

In attendance were Spokesperson to the Prime Minister Ivar Noordenbos and Deputy Director in the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Daniel Voorhoeve, plus  Ambassador Beatrice K. Pacunega Manano, the deputy Head of Mission at Uganda's embassy in Brussels and Rose Alenga, the under secretary from the Prime Minister's office.