Last Change:

03/21/2025

The Refugees Act (2006)

Year: 2006

Type: Domestic law

Rights Category: Work & Workplace rights

Link to external source: https://ulii.org/akn/ug/act/2006/21/eng@2006-08-04#part_IV__sec_21
Description

The Refugees Act (2006) is the principal law that addresses rights, obligations, and protections of refugees and asylum seekers. The law also establishes institutions and procedures for the conduct of matters of interest to PoCs. The Refugees Act provides for (1) Determination of refugee status (part II), (2) Administrative matters relating to refugees (part III), (3) Application for refugee status and related matters (part IV),(4) Rights and obligations of refugees (part V), (5) Miscellaneous matters (prosecution of unlawful entry into Uganda (section 38), procedures for withdrawal of refugee status (section 39), expulsion of refugees(section 40), extradition of refugees(sections 41, 42), settlements and transit centres (section 44), naturalisation of refugees (section 45), voluntary repatriation (section 46)).

Selected provisions
Section 29 (1) (e) (v) -- Rights of Refugees Access to Employment

A recognised refugee shall, subject to this Act, the OAU Convention (Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa) and the Geneva Convention (Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951 & The Protocol, 1967) — (e)
receive at least the same treatment accorded to aliens generally in similar circumstances relating to — (v)
the right to practice the profession of the refugee who holds qualifications recognised by the competent authorities in Uganda and who wishes to practice that profession;

Section 29 (1) (e) (iii) -- Rights of Refugees Access to Employment

A recognised refugee shall, subject to this Act, the OAU Convention (Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa) and the Geneva Convention (Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951 & The Protocol, 1967) — (e)
receive at least the same treatment accorded to aliens generally in similar circumstances relating to — (iii) education, other than elementary education for which refugees must receive the same treatment as nationals, and in particular, regarding access to particular studies, the recognition of foreign certificates, diplomas and degrees and the remission of fees and charges;

Section 29(1)(g) - Rights of Refugees (Association)

(1) A recognised refugee shall, subject to this Act, the OAU Convention and the Geneva Convention —
(g) have a right of association as regards non-political and non-profit making associations and trade unions;

Section 29(1)(h) -- Right of access to courts

(1) A recognised refugee shall, subject to this Act, the OAU Convention (i.e., the Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa) and the Geneva Convention (i.e., Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (1967)) —
(e) receive at least the same treatment accorded to aliens generally in similar circumstances relating to —
(h) have free access to courts of law, including legal assistance under applicable laws of Uganda.

Section 32 - Rights of Refugee Children

(1) Refugee children shall be accorded the same treatment as nationals with respect to elementary education.
(2) Every refugee child is entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms contained in—
(a) the Children Act (Cap. 59).
(b) the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1981);
(c) the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989); and
(d) the Geneva Convention (the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28th July 1951 and includes the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on 31st January 1967).
irrespective of the child’s parent’s or legal guardian’s race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, relation, political or other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.

Section 35 - Duties and Obligations of Refugee

Subject to this Act, a recognised refugee shall —

(a) be bound by and conform to all laws and regulations currently in force in Uganda;

(b) conform to measures taken for the maintenance of public order;

(c) not engage in activities which may endanger state security, harm public interests or disrupt public order;

(d) not engage in any political activities within Uganda, whether at local or national level;

(e) not engage in any activity contrary to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Statute of the African Union, and in particular, shall not undertake any political activities within Uganda against any country, including his or her country of origin; and

(f) if engaged in gainful employment or fully integrated and has a source of income, pay taxes in accordance with the applicable tax laws of Uganda.

Section 29(1)(h) - Rights of refugee while in Uganda

A recognised refugee shall, subject to this Act, the OAU Convention and the Geneva Convention have free access to courts of law, including legal assistance under applicable laws of Uganda.

Section 45 - Naturalisation of Recognised Refugee

The Constitution and any other law in force in Uganda regulating naturalisation shall apply to the naturalisation of a recognised refugee.

Section 29(1)(c) - Rights of refugees while in Uganda (non-discrimination)

(1) A recognised refugee shall, subject to this Act, the OAU Convention and the Geneva Convention —
(c) be entitled to fair and just treatment without discrimination on grounds of race, religion, sex, nationality, ethnic identity, membership of a particular social group or political opinion;

Section 32(1) - Rights of Refugee Children (Elementary Education)

(1) Refugee children shall be accorded the same treatment as nationals with respect to elementary education.

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