Uganda is on the brink of hosting 2 million refugees by the end of the year, as ongoing conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) force hundreds of people to flee daily into the East African nation.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Uganda currently shelters 1.93 million refugees, with an average of 600 new arrivals each day since the start of 2025. Many come with little more than the clothes on their backs, escaping war, violence, and instability in their home countries.
“We Have Nothing” – Refugees Struggle to Survive
Among the displaced is a South Sudanese widow who fled with her daughters after her husband was killed in the conflict.
“We used to live in Khartoum, but we moved to Darfur because of the war. I am with my daughters. We have been here for three months. We have nothing—no money. The children are not in school, and they started getting sick. The situation here is really difficult,” she said.
Overwhelmed Resources, Rising Desperation
In Kiryandongo, one of Uganda’s refugee settlements, aid workers report dire conditions.
“We have seen a sharp increase in arrivals over the past months. The situation has become untenable,” said a UNHCR representative. “We simply don’t have the resources for basic needs—whether it’s water, shelter, or food. I’m seeing malnourished children and desperate women who arrived with almost nothing.”
Uganda’s progressive refugee policy allows asylum seekers to move freely, work, and access public services. However, funding shortages are crippling relief efforts. The 2025 refugee response plan is only 25% funded, leaving aid agencies struggling to provide even the most essential support.
$16 Per Refugee – A Crisis With No End in Sight
The UN estimates that meeting the basic needs of one refugee in Uganda costs just $16 per month. Yet, without urgent international assistance, the country’s ability to sustain its refugee population—one of the largest in the world—is at risk.
As conflicts rage across the region, Uganda’s borders remain open, but its resources are stretched to the breaking point. Without immediate funding, years of progress in refugee support could unravel, leaving millions in even deeper desperation.
