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Uganda Refugee System Under Strain as Funding Drops

The refugee response in Uganda is entering a critical phase, with development partners warning that dwindling funding and policy changes may strain the system, which is one of the most progressive in the world. Uganda hosts nearly two million refugees, mostly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan, making it Africa's largest refugee-hosting country.

Partners called for clear "bridge plans" to sustain essential services and said that future funding would depend on long-term government strategies. They also addressed a policy change announced in February, in which Uganda ended prima facie recognition for new arrivals and introduced individual Refugee Status Determination (RSD). They warned that it could slow processing and strain capacity.

In addition, partners warned that temporary status arrangements could undermine refugee self-reliance by creating uncertainty over land allocation and long-term integration. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has announced that Uganda will receive an additional 27,000 refugees in the 2026/2027 financial year, further cementing the country's reputation as a global leader in refugee hosting.

David Azia/UNHCR

South Sudanese refugees carrying Core Relief Items walk down a road in Bidibidi refugee settlement, Yumbe District, Northern Region, Uganda.

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