Uganda Refugee Program Faces $217 Million Funding Gap as Policy Changes Loom

Uganda's internationally lauded refugee response system is facing unprecedented challenges as funding shortfalls reach $217 million in 2024, while proposed policy changes threaten to undermine one of Africa's most progressive asylum frameworks. The country, which currently hosts over 1.5 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi, has long been celebrated for its inclusive refugee policies that grant freedom of movement and the right to work.

The East African nation has maintained an open-door refugee policy since independence in 1962, integrating displaced populations into local communities rather than restricting them to camps. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Uganda's refugee population has tripled since 2016, making it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa and the third-largest globally, after Turkey and Colombia.

Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hilary Onek, expressed grave concerns about the sustainability of the current system. "Without immediate international support, we face difficult choices that could impact our ability to provide essential services to both refugees and host communities," Onek stated during a donor conference in Kampala.

The funding crisis has already begun affecting critical services. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that food rations for refugees have been cut by 40% since 2021, while educational facilities in refugee settlements are operating at 300% capacity. Healthcare services are similarly strained, with one doctor serving an average of 25,000 refugees, far exceeding WHO's recommended ratio of 1:1,000.

Joel Boutroue, UNHCR's Representative in Uganda, emphasized the urgency of the situation: "The funding gap isn't just about numbers – it represents real risks to the protection and well-being of vulnerable populations who have already endured significant trauma. We're seeing increased rates of school dropouts, malnutrition, and protection concerns."

Local communities hosting refugees are also feeling the strain. In districts like Adjumani, where refugees outnumber locals, competition for resources and services has intensified. "Our health centers and schools are overwhelmed, and environmental degradation is becoming a serious concern," says Robert Dragule, Chairman of the Adjumani District Local Government.

The crisis comes amid proposed policy changes that could restrict refugees' freedom of movement and right to work – cornerstones of Uganda's progressive refugee policy. These changes, if implemented, would mark a significant departure from the 2006 Refugees Act and the 2010 Refugee Regulations, which have been praised as model frameworks for refugee protection.

Source: Original article from AllAfrica (https://allafrica.com/stories/202603270033.html)