A hut stands in a hilly, partly green landscape.

Supporting refugees and host communities in Northern Uganda

Response to Increased Demand on Government Service and Creation of Economic Opportunities in Uganda (RISE)

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  • Client

    German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

  • Co-financier

    European Union (EU)

  • Country
  • Political sponsors

    More

  • Runtime

    2018 to 2025

  • Involved

    Agriculture and Finance Consultants GmBH (AFC)

  • Products and expertise

    Security, reconstruction, peace

Women performing a dance during a cultural gala promoting social cohesion between refugees and host communities in Uganda.© GIZ

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.

A refugee farmer harvesting sunflowers in a field in Obongi District, Uganda.

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.
A woman displaying jars of shea butter products in her shop in Arua, Uganda, after receiving business coaching and mentorship support from the project.

Last update: March 2025