Uganda’s open-door policy gives refugees a new lease on life.

Uganda is one of the few African countries with an open-door policy for refugees. Since before Uganda gained its independence in 1962, Uganda has served as a host land for the African people, especially refugees from neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa region. This is motivated and driven by human nature, solidarity, and rooted in African brotherhood, or as they say in Swahili, 'Rafiki' and 'Mukwano' in Luganda, which can be broadly interpreted as friendship. 

Uganda’s open-door policy is also greatly influenced by Pan-Africanism, which is evident as a foundational philosophy. The country currently hosts 1.8 million refugees from various nationalities, including South Sudanese, Rwandans, Congolese, and Sudanese, who have been in and out of Uganda since 1955 and 2016 due to security issues in their respective countries. This shows Uganda's consistent stance towards Pan-African ideals. 

This philosophy is also reflected in Ugandan refugee laws, which include provisions for urban refugees, allowing new arrivals to live in cities or metropolitan areas. As a result, Uganda has become a destination for refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, most of whom have settled in urban areas like the capital, Kampala. Ugandan laws permit refugees to live openly and participate in microfinance activities to support their living expenses, promoting interaction among different African cultures. In Kampala, for example, it’s common to hear people speaking multiple languages, such as Kiswahili, English, Arabic, Juba, Amharic, Tigrinya, French, and even Indian languages, demonstrating Uganda's role as a hub of universal African culture that fosters peace and equality. Uganda is home to more than 73,000 Sudanese refugees registered nationwide. 

However, the stay of refugees in IDP particularly those living in IDP camps, comes with challenges. Recently, there have been attacks targeting Sudanese refugees, especially by youth from South Sudan in the Bidi Bidi IDP camp in Kiryandongo, the largest refugee camp in northern Uganda. While these incidents do not diminish the significant efforts by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), they highlight the need for better strategic coordination between the OPM and service providers from both national and international organizations, as well as improved protection policies.

 Conclusion 

Despite difficulties, Uganda continues to be a model for refugee acceptance compared to some neighboring countries that have tightened entry restrictions after the recent outbreak of war in Sudan. Temporary security measures provide lessons for all involved to encourage peaceful coexistence, with support from host communities and service providers. Recognizing and emphasizing the principles of Pan-Africanism is essential in preventing future crises. 

  Recommendations 

• Firstly, the OPM should review annual records of long-term refugee stays, such as children who arrived in 2013 and are now teenagers. They require targeted educational and social services, which should be guided by service providers but overseen by the OPM.
• Secondly, before admitting new refugees, authorities should understand the historical relations among different groups back home to allocate space where they can coexist peacefully and facilitate reintegration. 
• Thirdly, community councils should be established for each group to address emerging issues, including minor clashes or family matters. These councils, composed of community leaders, women, youth, and persons with disability, should form a higher council representing diverse groups. 
• Fourth, adopting a comprehensive approach to service delivery is essential to ensure social peace and prevent discrimination. For example, humanitarian aid such as food packages should be communicated clearly to donors to ensure equitable distribution, preventing feelings of neglect among refugees from different camps.

These measures contribute to stability, which authorities are actively working to maintain. Deploying soldiers within camps is beneficial, but should not be permanent; efforts should focus on making camps safe at night to improve security.

By: Badawi Mohammed,      

ACJPS Monitoring and Documentation Program Director