Reduced refugee food rations fueling conflict in Kyegegwa — Leaders

The reduction of food rations to refugees is causing conflicts in host communities in Bunyoro sub-region, local leaders have reported.

“In Kyaka II refugee settlement, the food rations for the refugees were reduced, which has caused many conflicts between the host communities and the refugees themselves.

There are reported deaths over food, theft cases are on the increase, due to food shortages in the settlement camp and the community,” said Tom Bright, the Kyaka central constituency Member of Parliament in Kyegegwa district.

The premier interacts with women during the belated Women's Day celebrations in Kyegegwa district. (Courtesy Photos)

Despite significant successes, funding cuts have had far-reaching consequences beyond immediate hunger among the refugees and the host communities, he reported in an appeal to the Office of the Prime Minister's office to find a solution to what he described as a worrying situation.

The sharp increase in refugee arrivals - particularly from the DRC, South Sudan and Sudan – with over 90,000 refugees arriving in Uganda by April 2025 alone, has worsened malnutrition, with Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates spiking as high as 21.5% among newly arriving refugees—a critical situation requiring urgent and continued nutrition support, according to UNICEF.

Kyegegwa Woman Member of Parliament Flavia Rwabuhoro receiving the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja in Kyegegwa district.

As of April 2025,  reports also indicated that  Uganda hosts over 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from the DR Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Despite the increase in numbers, only 9 per cent of the Uganda Country Refugee Response Plan (UCRRP) for Quarter 1 of 2025 has been funded — a 26% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.

This severe underfunding has left critical gaps, particularly in Protection (68 per cent decrease) and Health and Nutrition (61 per cent decrease), impacting the ability of WFP, UNHCR, and UNICEF to meet urgent needs.

After getting the Kyegegwa district reports, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said she has plans to meet the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) country representative in Uganda to discuss how to address the raised challenges.

“I will convene a meeting immediately to discuss the issue with the stakeholders to find ways of addressing the challenges raised by the host community,” said Nabbanja at the meeting.

Nabbanja, while presiding over the belated women’s day celebrations for Kyegegwa district, appealed to parents to ensure that their school-going children attend school and complete the education cycle.

Jackson Kafuuzi, the deputy attorney general who is also the Kyaka South Member of Parliament, lauded the NRM government for the emancipation of women in the country.
The Kyegegwa women’s day celebrations were organised by Kafuuzi, unlike in other districts where it is a reserve of the women representatives in Parliament.