Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called on the European Union to increase funding for Uganda's refugee response, citing a significant funding gap. He made the appeal on Monday while receiving Members of the European Parliament at Parliament. The delegation is in Uganda to understand the country's refugee policies and explore ways of strengthening cooperation between Uganda and the EU on refugee management.
Uganda's 2026 refugee response plan requires about $850 million, but only 12% of the required funding has been provided by international partners. Tayebwa warned that the funding shortfall is increasingly affecting the government's ability to provide services to refugees and the Ugandan communities that host them. The pressure is being felt within government institutions responsible for refugee management, particularly the Office of the Prime Minister.
The funding constraints have resulted in a reduction in the number of teachers and health workers previously supported through funding from international partners. Staffing levels in the Department of Refugees under the Office of the Prime Minister have also come under pressure. Tayebwa emphasized that the current humanitarian funding model is no longer sufficient, and alternative financing is needed to prevent the government and host communities from being overwhelmed.
Despite the financial constraints, Tayebwa said Uganda would continue to receive people fleeing conflict, describing the country's refugee policy as rooted in its humanitarian values. Uganda currently hosts more than two million refugees and asylum-seekers, making it Africa's largest refugee-hosting country. Most of the refugees are women and children, with the largest numbers originating from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tayebwa urged the EU to address the conflicts driving displacement rather than focusing only on humanitarian assistance after people have crossed into Uganda. He believes that resolving conflicts in countries neighboring Uganda would help reduce the pressure created by continued refugee arrivals. Failure to provide refugees with adequate support and opportunities to rebuild their lives could expose some to exploitation, trafficking, and recruitment by armed groups.
The EU has allocated €20.7 million in humanitarian assistance to Uganda in 2026, following €23.9 million in 2025. It says it has provided more than €194 million in humanitarian funding to Uganda since 2021. EU humanitarian programmes in Uganda support areas including emergency cash assistance, food security, education, protection, and disaster preparedness for refugees and host communities.
Members of the European Parliament, including Hon. Tineke Strik, acknowledged Uganda's role in hosting refugees and called for continued international support. Strik said European countries could learn from Uganda's approach to receiving people fleeing conflict. Tayebwa thanked the EU for its contribution to Uganda's refugee response, describing the bloc as a dependable partner, and emphasized the need for predictable and sustained international support.
Key points
- The European Union has provided over €194 million in humanitarian funding to Uganda since 2021.
- Uganda hosts more than two million refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The 2026 refugee response plan requires $850 million, but only 12% of the funding has been provided.
