Kampala: Since the beginning of 2025, Uganda has been experiencing a significant increase in the number of refugees, with 600 new arrivals each day. This influx has brought the total number of new arrivals to nearly two million. However, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has raised alarms that the East African nation is facing a severe funding crisis, which could hinder its ability to provide essential life-saving services and aid to these refugees.
According to EMM, Uganda has a progressive refugee policy that allows refugees to work and access public services, making it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa due to its geographical proximity to crisis zones. Yet, the emergency funding is set to run out by September, which could lead to dire consequences such as increased malnutrition among children, higher instances of sexual violence against girls, and families left without shelter or protection, as highlighted by Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s director for external relations.
The refugees seeking shelter and aid in Uganda include a large number of children. During a recent visit to refugee camps, Ms. Hyde encountered a 16-year-old girl from South Sudan who, after losing her parents, now cares for her four younger siblings. Her story underscores the critical nature of the aid provided by UNHCR and the Ugandan government, which is currently only 25 percent funded and at risk of disappearing.
Ms. Hyde emphasized the importance of international support, stating, “Uganda has opened its doors, its schools, and its health centers. This model can succeed, but it can’t do it alone.”