news 13 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Minister Urges Refugee Return Amidst Dwindling Aid
Minister Sam Engola has called on refugees in Uganda to return to their home countries due to a significant decrease in humanitarian funding. Uganda currently hosts over two million refugees but is operating with less than half of the necessary budget. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/minister-engola-urges-refugees-to-return-home-as-aid-dwindles-5556966
The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr. Sam Engola, has issued an appeal to refugees residing in various camps across Uganda, encouraging them to consider repatriation due to a sharp decline in international humanitarian aid.
Minister Engola highlighted that Uganda is currently hosting over two million refugees, yet the operational budget is less than 50 percent of what is required, with the refugee population growing annually. This situation is exacerbated by the withdrawal of several non-governmental organizations, many of which relied heavily on funding from the U.S. government, which has reportedly been affected by U.S. foreign aid policies.
He pointed to the voluntary return of approximately 17,458 Burundian refugees as a positive example, stating that the most sustainable path forward is for refugees to return to their homes.
The minister explained that while Uganda remains hospitable and continues to welcome new arrivals fleeing conflict, political instability, and climate crises, the lack of consistent funding makes long-term planning and support extremely challenging. He emphasized that without donations, the government cannot sustain its current level of assistance and is effectively operating at a deficit.
In response to these challenges, the government has resumed registration of new refugees entering Uganda, implementing mandatory Ebola testing as a precautionary measure following a recent suspension of entries due to the Ebola outbreak.
Officials noted that the declining funding has led to severe consequences for refugees, including food shortages, overcrowded living conditions, limited access to education, and increased vulnerability to issues like gender-based violence, with many children becoming street-involved.
Uganda currently hosts around 2.35 million refugees and asylum-seekers across 14 settlements and urban areas, a number that has grown significantly while funding has decreased substantially over the past decade. For instance, funding dropped from USD 490 million in 2015 for 500,000 refugees to an anticipated USD 165 million in 2026 for over two million refugees.
This situation was discussed at a regional workshop in Kampala, which brought together government officials from several East African nations to share strategies for sustainable refugee repatriation and peaceful coexistence.