Uganda: From Refugee Exporter to Safe Haven

Uganda's Refugee Model Earns Global Praise

Since President Yoweri Museveni assumed office in 1986, Uganda has transformed from a country once generating high refugee numbers to a model refugee-hosting nation. Uganda now accommodates over 1.7 million refugees, making it Africa’s top destination for asylum seekers. This shift has been celebrated internationally as a strong example of effective emigration management and crisis response.

Uganda’s progressive refugee policy, established under the 2006 Refugees Act, provides refugees with access to essential services like health, education, security, and freedom of movement. This welcoming environment is a direct result of Uganda's peace and stability achieved under Museveni’s leadership. As the act codified asylum rights, it laid the foundation for Uganda to become a "net refugee-receiving country," offering a secure space for those fleeing conflict and instability.

The policy has also emphasized self-reliance, allowing refugees to work, move freely, and engage in cultivation within designated settlements. This structure has attracted global support, but the Ugandan government continues to urge international partners to fulfill their funding commitments, which are critical to maintaining this system. Recently, the UK and Hungary proposed relocating refugees to countries like Rwanda and Chad, highlighting the international community's reliance on African nations to absorb displaced populations.

In addition to neighboring countries like the DRC, Somalia, and South Sudan, Uganda has extended its assistance to those from as far as Afghanistan, accepting 2,000 Afghan refugees in 2021 following the U.S. troop withdrawal. This welcoming approach aligns with President Museveni’s pan-Africanist vision, aiming for “African solutions to African problems,” which has helped to address regional displacement issues within the continent rather than transferring them to far-off nations.

The ongoing political instability in the Great Lakes region contributes to a steady influx of refugees into Uganda. While some countries may hesitate to accept refugees due to nationalistic and xenophobic tendencies, Uganda stands out as an open and inclusive host. Uganda’s stable political environment is essential to supporting the region’s displaced people. This model has demonstrated how peaceful governance and proactive policy can provide secure solutions to refugee crises—offering an example for countries worldwide.

Written by Ambassador Henry Mayega