Development partners have pledged ongoing support to Uganda in alleviating the strain of hosting nearly two million refugees and asylum seekers.
The pledge was made during the National Partnership Forum, a significant event where Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, along with senior government officials, met with representatives from international organizations and donor countries to discuss the challenges and solutions surrounding the refugee situation. The event unfolded yesterday at Sheraton Hotel Kampala.
The Prime Minister was joined by various officials from Uganda’s government, and key international figures, including Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda, Maria Hakansson. The discussions primarily focused on the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers, highlighting the importance of continued support for Uganda’s open-door policy, which has enabled the country to host one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. Currently, Uganda shelters 1,796,609 refugees, many of whom are fleeing conflicts in neighboring countries like South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Sudan.
During the forum, Ambassador Hakansson reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to supporting Uganda in its efforts to ensure the well-being of refugees. “As development partners, we have been and continue to be a committed partner to Uganda’s further development in all aspects of its society—from agriculture to infrastructure, from education to tourism,” she remarked. However, Hakansson also emphasized the need for long-term solutions, calling for peace and stability in the countries from which these refugees flee. She underscored the importance of promoting sustainable peace in conflict-affected regions, noting that international collaboration in conflict prevention and peacebuilding is vital.
The Swedish Ambassador’s message was clear: addressing the root causes of displacement in countries like South Sudan, the DRC, and Sudan is crucial to alleviating the strain on host countries like Uganda. “We continue advocating and funding for conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and humanitarian assistance in the neighboring countries and in countries of origin for refugees,” she said, stressing that a collective commitment to peace is necessary to tackle the crisis effectively.
Prime Minister Nabbanja acknowledged the government’s efforts to ensure that refugees live with dignity. She highlighted some of the positive strides that Uganda has made in supporting its refugee population. “Some refugees and settlements have been able to start small businesses, send their children to school, and access healthcare services,” she said. However, she also emphasized that there is still much work to be done to ensure that refugees’ needs continue to be met and that their rights are upheld.
The Prime Minister called on all stakeholders to maintain their commitment to tangible actions that would bring meaningful change to the refugee situation. “Let us leave this forum with a shared commitment to action, ensuring our resolutions translate into meaningful impact. Together, we can build a resilient and prosperous Uganda”
Despite Uganda’s open-door policy being widely praised, the country continues to face immense challenges due to the rising numbers of refugees, particularly as conflicts in DRC and Sudan show no sign of abating. The situation has placed significant pressure on Uganda’s resources, straining the nation’s ability to provide essential services to both refugees and the local population.
Dr. Hillary Onek, Uganda’s Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, noted the financial strain that the government faces in managing such a large refugee population. “Uganda faces considerable financial strain in managing the large number of refugees. Key aspects of this financial burden include, among others, substantial investments in infrastructure and services to meet basic needs like food, shelter, education, health care, and sanitation,” Dr. Onek explained. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to its efforts to provide for the refugees, relying on continued international support to ensure that they can maintain their humanitarian responsibilities.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also been instrumental in providing aid to these displaced populations. However, even with the substantial assistance from external donors, the increasing refugee numbers are stretching the country’s already limited resources, and Uganda has called for more support to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.