Uganda tightens refugee policy as aid cuts bite — long-standing “open door” gives way to selective entry
Kampala,Uganda
Uganda — once celebrated as Africa’s most welcoming nation for refugees — has begun restricting refugee registration and entry for people from non-conflict countries, marking a dramatic shift as deep aid cuts undermine the state’s capacity to absorb new arrivals. Officials say the decision reflects acute funding shortfalls, particularly after major reductions in foreign aid sources, and that support will now be reserved for only the most vulnerable asylum seekers.
For decades, Uganda’s policy allowed refugees access to land, education, work and basic services. But the new restrictions — announced in October 2025 — have already prevented an estimated 5,000 asylum-seekers from registering or entering the country. Some fleeing long-standing crises, including those from war-torn Somalia, claim they were turned away at border crossings.
Why it matters
Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations globally, and this policy shift signals a serious strain on the humanitarian model many African countries looked to for solidarity. Restricting registration undermines the protection of vulnerable populations — including women, children, and those fleeing violence — and may push desperate people into unsafe routes or irregular migration. The change also challenges Uganda’s image as a regional refuge and could unsettle neighbouring states depending on refugee flows and burden sharing.
What to watch
Whether the restrictions become more entrenched or are reversed depending on funding flows; whether refugee communities already in Uganda — especially those in urban areas — begin to experience cutbacks in services such as health, education or livelihood support; how regional and international agencies respond, and whether there is renewed pressure on donors to restore humanitarian funding.
