By Joseph Kiggundu
The Office of the Prime Minister has projected that Uganda will host an additional 27,000 refugees in the 2026/2027 financial year as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts.
Assistant Commissioner Apollo Kivumbi made the disclosure while appearing before Members of Parliament on the Committee on Presidential Affairs. He explained that the new arrivals will be supported under the second phase of the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP).
Kivumbi noted that the initiative is largely funded by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, with an estimated budget of US$328 million. The funds are expected to support host districts through improved service delivery, infrastructure development, and creation of economic opportunities for both refugees and host communities.
“The project is designed to strengthen resilience in refugee-hosting areas by investing in essential services and livelihoods,” Kivumbi said.
However, Adjumani East MP, James Mamawi, urged government to prioritize improving the welfare of refugees already in the country. He emphasized the need to channel more resources towards enhancing livelihoods, access to basic services, and long-term sustainability for existing refugee populations.
Uganda currently hosts more than two million refugees, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world. Many of the displaced persons have fled conflict and instability in neighboring countries such as Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
Officials say Uganda will continue working with international partners to manage the growing refugee population while maintaining its open-door policy, but stress that sustained funding and coordinated support remain critical to meeting increasing humanitarian needs.
