Turning Uganda's Refugee Work Rights from Policy to Practice

Uganda stands out for its forward-thinking refugee policies under the 2006 Refugees Act, which for two decades has legally allowed refugees to work and operate businesses—among Africa’s most generous provisions.

Yet, a stark divide exists between legislation and reality. Many skilled refugees, like Somali accountant Sadio who now sells handmade baskets in Kampala, or engineers driving boda bodas and nurses vending vegetables, remain stuck in informal, low-wage roles due to unrecognized qualifications and red tape.

As international humanitarian aid shrinks, enabling refugees to self-sustain through employment becomes critical. Studies from the World Bank show that integrating refugees into the formal economy boosts productivity, increases taxes, and cuts long-term aid reliance by nearly 45%.

Key obstacles include expensive, lengthy credential validation—costing Shs50,000 for translation and Shs250,000 for equivalence—and banks’ reluctance to lend due to perceived risks, despite refugees’ proven repayment records.

To bridge this gap, three steps are proposed: establish a straightforward national system for recognizing refugee qualifications with reduced fees and clear timelines; provide government-backed credit guarantees to encourage lending to refugee entrepreneurs; and embed refugees into national job strategies via public-private partnerships.

Uganda’s hospitality has saved countless lives; now, securing livelihoods through work access is the next vital step, especially amid funding cuts.

This article is based on a piece by Ismail Hussein Ismail in the Daily Monitor: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/let-refugees-right-to-work-in-uganda-become-reality-5417640