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Uganda is one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world, with 1,680,000 refugees as of 2024.

However, refugees continue to have several difficulties accessing social services, even with efforts made by the Government and development partners to guarantee their comfort.

Hope Mafaranga and Adam Gule look at the financial support that Uganda needs for refugee responses.

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In Uganda, the refugee population has reached 1,680,000, and it continues to grow due to ongoing persecution, conflicts, and communal violence.

Most refugees come from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and over 15 other countries.

More than 300,000 people have crossed into Uganda seeking safety since 2022, including 35,000 arriving from Sudan.

The pressure on public services, including health, education, water, and sanitation, is mounting because of the ongoing and steady influx of refugees into Uganda.

Humanitarian organisations are overstretched, facing increased demands while dealing with limited funding. This requires careful planning and prioritisation.

The Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees, Hilary Onek, said the Government’s approach to refugee management allows refugees to live, work and access public services, like national citizens, which represents true solidarity with refugees.

“Uganda has made a strong statement that, beyond feeling safe and welcomed, refugees need opportunities to thrive. They need a chance to learn and progress, to earn a living and to feel a sense of belonging,” he said.

He said Uganda and other countries hosting refugees require the solidarity of the international community in alignment with the global compact on refugees.

“It is not possible for Uganda, as the largest hosting country in Africa, to cope without additional support and resources. Public and private donors must step up and act because we have a collective obligation to support refugees in their country of asylum by facilitating access to quality education, healthcare and social services,” he said.

Matthew Crentsil, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) country representative in Uganda, said refugees need to be encouraged to actively participate in developmental activities in their local communities and promote self-reliance by strengthening the job market in refugee-hosting districts. Crentsil describes Uganda as a prominent haven for refugees in Africa.

He noted that while other countries are closing their doors, Uganda continues to show solidarity by offering free land to refugees in need.

“Today, Uganda is hosting nearly 1.7 million refugees, the most in Africa and the third highest in the world; this is not something to be taken for granted,” he said.

He also highlighted the numerous achievements of both the refugees and the host communities, which are worth celebrating.

Appeal for funds

Munir Safieldin, the UNICEF Representative in Uganda, said they appealed for $858 million, but only 13% of the required funds have been received, leaving 1.68 million forcibly displaced persons, predominantly women and children, and 2.7 million host community members at risk of becoming increasingly vulnerable as access to services and food assistance is reduced.

“We call for a significant increase in international responsibility-sharing to ensure refugee children have sustainable access to basic services, including education, health, nutrition, protection, water, and sanitation.”

“This requires long-term commitment among all parties to support the integration of refugees in the national service delivery systems, as well as a well-resourced strategy to promote the resilience and self-reliance of the refugee population, particularly the adolescent, youth, and women,” Safieldin said, adding that no one willingly abandons their homes and lives.

“Seeking refuge is not a choice. It becomes the only option for survival, to find peace and a way to preserve dreams. Unfortunately, peace remains scarce across the world. Lasting solutions are still obscure for too many. However, we must continue to seek for solutions and recognise the progress that has been made. Right now, refugees need our solidarity more than ever,” he said.

Mary Killa

Government committed  

Lillian Aber, the Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, affirmed Uganda’s commitment to meeting its international obligations under international law, guided by the pan-African ideology of UBUNTU.

She emphasised the importance of the international community fulfilling their commitments under the global refugee forum to support Uganda’s open-door policy, enabling the country to host refugees in a humane and dignified manner.

Currently, over 114 million people worldwide, including 24.5 million from the East, Horn and Great Lakes regions, have been forcibly displaced due to war, violence, and climate-related challenges.

Aber interacting with refugees as she inspects their products during the World Refugee Day celebrations. (Credit: Adam Gule)

Uganda is safe

Peter Gift, the chairperson of the Refugee Welfare Council 3 for the Rhino Camp Settlement, commended the Ugandan Government for its solidarity with refugees.

He expressed that the refugees feel as if they are in their home countries, living without pressure and feeling more secure.

Gift urged both the Ugandan Government and the international community to engage with leaders in the refugees’ home countries to foster peace for refugees to return home one day.  

Lingo

“Uganda truly feels like our home, but this doesn’t change the fact that we will one day want to return to our countries of origin. This won’t be possible without peace in our homes,” he said.

Livelihood for self-resilience

Douglas Asiimwe, the Ag. commissioner for refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister in Uganda, said the humanitarian support for refugee response is facing a reduction in finances.

He implored the implementing partners to realign their interventions to ensure livelihood support for the refugees and host communities is given more priority.

A refugee showcasing his products to Aber during the World Refugee Day celebrations. (Credit: Adam Gule)

“We must get money in the pockets of refugees and host communities for self-reliance,” he said. He added that much focus should also be placed on the pledges Uganda made during the 2023 global refugee forum.

Peaceful coexistence

The Minister of State for Urban Development, Obiga Mario Kania, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Terego East constituency, appealed to refugees and host communities to continue living in harmony. He urged the refugees to abandon tribal conflicts, which he noted had spread into the settlements.

“The issues of fighting based on tribes must stop,” he said. Kania also called on implementing partners to ensure that the 30% benefits for host communities are distributed across all sectors, including employment opportunities.

Crentsil

He emphasised that this approach would foster a strong network of peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities.

Rose Munduni, the Resident District Commissioner for Terego district, asked them to continue living peacefully and share the limited resources between refugees and host communities.

She urged partners to involve local leadership in planning and coordination efforts.

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The project is supported by WAN-IFRA Women in News under Social Impact Reporting Initiatives grant. However, the views expressed are not those of the sponsor.