news 1 April 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Uganda's Refugee Projects Drive Thousands of Households to Self-Reliance
Two key initiatives, SMILES and GER, are empowering over 14,000 vulnerable refugee households in Uganda towards economic independence through integrated poverty graduation and market development strategies. A recent Learning Summit highlighted impressive results, including an 89.4% graduation rate, amid declining humanitarian aid. Source: https://observer.ug/news/thousands-of-refugee-households-in-uganda-move-towards-self-reliance
Uganda hosts more than two million refugees, with nearly half being children, under its progressive policies. The focus has shifted from aid to building self-reliance for refugees and host communities.
The SMILES project, running from 2022 to 2027 and funded by the IKEA Foundation, aids 14,000 households—about 70,000 people—in Kyaka II and Kyangwali settlements. Implemented by AVSI Foundation with UNHCR and partners like Innovations for Poverty Action, it blends the Graduation Approach with Market Systems Development, offering asset transfers, skills training, and market access in sectors like agriculture and energy.
Complementing this is the GER project, backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Kikuube and Kyegegwa districts. It provides consumption support, Village Savings and Loan Associations, youth apprenticeships, and Farmer Field Schools to foster resilience.
On March 26, a joint Learning Summit at Mestil Hotel gathered stakeholders to share evidence and results. AVSI’s John Makoha noted over 10,000 households in Kyaka II and Kyangwali have advanced toward self-reliance in 24 months, stressing sustainable livelihoods beyond project timelines.
Geoffrey Mugambe from the Office of the Prime Minister called for moving from dependency to productivity, emphasizing partnerships. Victoria Pugnal from the British High Commission praised GER’s 89.4% graduation rate as proof of data-driven success.
These projects promote the humanitarian-development nexus, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and adaptability, offering a model for constrained funding environments.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)