The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) revealed in a statement on May 17 that Uganda is facing significant challenges due to the continuous arrival of refugees fleeing war and the climate crisis. Uganda has been welcoming an increasing number of Sudanese refugees, with over 33,000 people arriving since the start of 2024, including 19,000 who have settled in Kampala. These refugees are escaping a conflict in Sudan that has been ongoing for more than a year.
Most of the Sudanese refugees are from Khartoum, and many hold university-level educations. Alongside the Sudanese, Uganda receives an average of 2,500 refugees weekly, primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, driven by ongoing conflicts and climate-related challenges.
The influx of refugees is not widely reported but, combined with funding shortfalls, places significant pressure on the services provided to both refugees and host communities. The Ugandan health sector, which serves both populations, has been particularly affected by these funding gaps. Health center staff numbers have been reduced, and there are insufficient supplies to meet critical health needs. Recently, an outbreak of conjunctivitis has impacted many refugee settlements across the country.
Mental health concerns are also rising, with four attempted suicides reported among refugees in Adjumani in the last two weeks, including two youths. This underscores the vulnerability of the refugee population, especially the youth, and highlights the need for targeted interventions.
The education sector is similarly strained, with overcrowded schools and a lack of teachers and educational materials making it difficult for children, who make up over half of the refugee population, to receive an adequate education. Key protection services, such as refugee registration, are experiencing lengthy delays due to a lack of necessary materials and equipment.
Investments in income-generating activities for refugees have also been curtailed. Two weeks ago, UNHCR and high Ugandan officials visited their main partners, including the governments of Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as EU institutions, to emphasize the impact of reduced funding and advocate for additional resources.
Uganda hosts the highest number of refugees and asylum-seekers in Africa, with almost 1.7 million people, mainly from South Sudan and the DRC. However, it was among UNHCR’s 13 top underfunded operations globally in 2023. In 2024, the Uganda Country Refugee Response Plan (UCRRP) seeks $858 million to support more than 1.67 million refugees and 2.7 million host community members but has only received 13 percent of the required funds so far.
In May, some refugees began leaving Uganda for neighboring countries due to reduced support and food rations. UNHCR warned that without increased aid, development gains and peaceful coexistence with host communities could be compromised.