Uganda is grappling with a significant influx of refugees from Sudan, with over 33,000 new arrivals since the start of 2024, including 19,000 in Kampala alone, fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The majority of these refugees are from Khartoum and have university-level education, posing both a loss for Sudan and a potential resource for Uganda if effectively integrated.
This influx is part of a broader trend that sees approximately 2,500 people arriving in Uganda weekly from neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, driven by conflicts and climate-related challenges.
Despite the humanitarian efforts, the continuous arrival of refugees seldom makes headlines but has put enormous pressure on Uganda’s resources and its robust refugee protection and response model.
Funding shortfalls have severely affected essential services, particularly in the health sector, which is serving both refugees and host communities.
An outbreak of conjunctivitis has further strained the health services, affecting several refugee settlements. Educational facilities are also under pressure, with severe overcrowding and a shortage of teachers and educational materials.
Protection services are equally impacted, with significant delays in refugee registration due to the lack of necessary materials and equipment.
Uganda remains committed to its pledges made at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, aiming for greater socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance for refugees.
However, the Uganda Country Refugee Response Plan (UCRRP) for 2024, which seeks $858 million to support over 1.67 million refugees and 2.7 million members of host communities, has received only 13 percent of the needed funds.
