Supporting refugees and host communities in Northern Uganda

Context

Uganda hosts nearly 1,7 million refugees, mainly from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan, making it the country with the third-largest refugee population globally. Over 80 per cent are women and children, many lacking literacy, employment, or stable household incomes.

To address these issues, Uganda has adopted the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and Refugee and Host Population Empowerment (ReHoPE) strategy. These initiatives aim to integrate refugees into local development plans by promoting resilience and self-reliance. However, limited resources within local governments hinder implementation, affecting access to basic services and economic opportunities.

Objective

Local authorities in Northern Uganda deliver quality services to all residents, fostering resilient communities and creating thriving economic opportunities for both refugees and host populations.

Approach

The project aims to improve local governance and expand economic opportunities for refugees and host communities in Northern Uganda. The measures are:

To improve local governance:

• Including refugees in planning for services infrastructure;
• Supporting local authorities to provide basic services;
• Increasing refugee participation in decision-making;
• Coordinating efforts between local governments, ministries, and the private industry, including harmonising land-use planning with development plans.

To expand economic opportunities:

• Providing access to financial services;
• Training small businesses and craftspeople;
• Facilitating access to private industry jobs through internships;
• Improving value chains, irrigation, and market access.

Last update: March 2025