The parliament has rejected a suggestion put forth by the Committee on Equal Opportunities for a reevaluation of the refugee policy aimed at managing their intake to a sustainable degree. Dorcas Acen, the committee’s deputy chairperson, presented this proposal during a plenary session on Thursday, February 15. The committee will later need to furnish another report regarding the status of refugees and the communities accommodating them in Uganda.
A segment of the report emphasized the committee’s strong recommendation for the government to amend its refugee policy to avert potential long-term conflicts resulting from an excess of refugees and a reduction in funding due to cuts in donor support. This recommendation appears to clash with the Kampala declaration on refugees. Mulimba noted certain internal administrative concerns highlighted by the declaration.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja highlighted that the Global Summit on Refugees in December 2023 had addressed the management of limited resources for districts hosting refugees in Uganda. She argued against using this issue to advocate for restricting refugee entry into Uganda, emphasizing Uganda’s global recognition for its refugee policy.
Nabbanja underscored that refugees seek safety, drawn by Uganda’s secure and peaceful environment. She pointed out Uganda’s history as a refugee exporter in 1986 and its current role as a host to 1.6 million refugees.
Rose Obigah, representing Terego District, noted that her constituency has experienced positive development due to the presence of refugees. She emphasized the importance of treating refugees with dignity and resolving any challenges they face within host communities.
The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, urged the government to collaborate with neighboring countries to assist Uganda in supporting host communities. He stressed the need for shared responsibility and support from neighboring countries, given Uganda’s inability to bear the burden alone and the resource constraints faced by host communities.
