Population figures
Total country population
45,905,417
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
1,656,440
Asylum-seekers:
45,848
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
0
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
67,000
Host community
2,659,400
Others of concern to UNHCR
0
Country context
Uganda, located in East Africa, is recognized for its progressive approach to refugee management, guided by the Refugees Act of 2006 and the 2010 regulations law. The country provides asylum to refugees, particularly from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Sudan. Asylum seekers from these countries are granted prima facie status, while others must undergo individual Refugee Status Determination (RSD). Refugees are primarily settled in 12 districts alongside host communities. The population is predominantly young, with children under 18 constituting a 57 percent of the refugee population.
Uganda continues to be a model of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) through the government-led Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). This structure is spearheaded by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) together with the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG). Pledges made by Uganda at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in 2023 emphasize a multi-stakeholder approach to refugee management with focus on increasing resilience and self-reliance; taking actions against climate change; localizing the refugee response; building durable solutions, and; transition management. Uganda’s refugee policy is characterized by the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and the Settlement Transformation Agenda (STA), which aim to integrate refugees into national development planning. The government has made significant progress in promoting refugee self-reliance, offering opportunities for participation in agricultural value chains, vocational skills training, and employment. Despite these initiatives, refugees remain economically vulnerable due to limited access to resources like land and formal employment opportunities, compared to the host population.
...Although Uganda is a party to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, it has not yet acceded to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. A legal study on statelessness is currently underway, with the aim of improving the accuracy and quality of data on statelessness and ensure that stateless individuals receive the necessary support and recognition. In 2020, the government launched a National Action Plan to address statelessness, with a focus on minority groups at risk of statelessness, especially in Zanzibar.
Climate change trends have been confirmed in Uganda, manifested through increased temperatures, erratic rainfalls, and extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods and landslides. One notable flooding event occurred in Adjumani in September 2023, displacing 5,000 people in Nyumanzi settlement.
Refugees face challenges related to access to land, economic opportunities, and environmental degradation in refugee-hosting areas. Despite these difficulties, Uganda to encourage refugee inclusion, with efforts to integrate refugees into national systems and create economic opportunities. The government is also focusing on environmental sustainability and addressing climate change impacts in refugee-hosting districts. Uganda’s commitments to refugee integration and environmental protection are reflected in its pledges at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF).
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