Refugees warned against engaging in politics

As we enter the busy campaign season leading to the 2026 general election, refugees have been warned against engaging in political activities because the law prohibits them.

Mike Orlando, the chairperson of Gogonya zone in Kampala city suburb of Nsambya, made the call on Friday, June 20, 2025, during World Refugee Day celebrations at the Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) head office in Nsambya.

The event, under the theme: Solidarity to Action, was attended by over 500 refugees living in the different suburbs of Kampala. 

They included South Sudanese, Sudanese, Ethiopians, Eritreans, Congolese and Afghans. Orlando says his area hosts more than 400 refugees, and the majority are youth who are easy targets for politicians.

“Politicians will lure you with money to join their camps but be warned. The law prohibits you from engaging in political activities,” he said.

He added that a week earlier, a group of people approached some refugees in his area and asked them to join their camp, and when they refused, they threatened to harm them.

Mike Orlando

He urged the refugees to report such threats.

“Refugees should know that Uganda’s refugee policy allows us to associate but we are not allowed to engage in any political activities. Don’t allow people to manipulate you to campaign for them. That is bad for us all,” YARID executive director Robert Hakiza said.

On the other hand, Chance Kamba, a manager for job training and placement services, pointed out that life in Uganda is challenging for refugees, especially concerning job opportunities.

'Many youths are unemployed, a reason they are lured by politicians'.

Olivier Nondo, an English language instructor, said many refugees yearn to learn English. 

Uganda is home to about 1.9 million refugees and asylum seekers, according to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) statistics. Kampala city alone hosts over 150,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with women and girls making up 51%.