In Uganda’s urban centers, an increasing number of young refugees are grappling with a combination of fear, unclear document processes, discrimination, and exploitation.
This stark reality was voiced by over 100 refugee youth during the National Youth Urban Refugee Dialogue, organized by Ngabo Youth Friendly Services Initiative on Wednesday, 13th November 2024.
Addressing their challenges, a female Somali refugee living in Kampala shared how the struggle to integrate into their new community is made even more difficult by the constant threat of arrest, deportation, and abuse.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of legal documentation, which leaves us vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,” she explained. “When we are mistreated and turn to the police for help, they ask, ‘Who are you? Where are you from?’ If we can’t provide legal proof of our refugee status, the police won’t assist us.”
“Whenever I’m walking through town, I get scared. I constantly worry: what if the police stop me and ask for my legal documents? If I don’t have them, the chances of being deported back to my country are high. And I came to Uganda as a refugee to escape the wars in my homeland,” she added.
Many refugee youths like her spoke of the daily anxiety they face as they navigate life in a foreign country without legal recognition. Without access to proper documentation, refugees are vulnerable to exploitation, often becoming targets for abuse in workplaces, schools, and public spaces.
Another participant, a refugee from Rwanda, raised concerns about the lack of access to travel documents, which hinders opportunities for employment and education outside Uganda.
“We are told to apply online for travel documents, but the process is unclear and complicated. There’s no specific portal for refugees, and even those who apply often face long delays, missing deadlines, and opportunities in the process,” he explained.
The remarks were made on Wednesday at the KCCA Youth Centre in Makindye Division, during a dialogue aimed at providing a platform for urban refugee youth from diverse backgrounds—including Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Congo, and Rwanda—to voice their concerns, share their challenges, and offer recommendations for overcoming the obstacles they face in their new communities.
Throughout the discussions, a common theme emerged: the lack of legal documentation, which leaves refugees vulnerable to exploitation, as well as widespread fear of discrimination by both authorities and the host community.
In her remarks, Ms. Joanita Ndibaza, who represented the Deputy RCC of Makindye Division, urged refugees to obtain identification cards from the local councils (LCs) in their areas of residence. These IDs, she emphasized, would help ease identification and reduce challenges, particularly during night movements. However, she clarified that these IDs should be distinct from Ugandan national IDs, specifically issued for refugees.
Mr. Emmanuel Olupot Washington, Coordinator of the Parliamentary Forum on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, who also represented the chairperson of the forum, emphasized the need to amplify the voices of refugees and ensure they have access to critical services like employment and healthcare.
“We must shape policies that enhance their development and meet their needs,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to fostering a Uganda that is inclusive, safe, and responsive to the needs of all its people, including urban refugee youth. “This gathering is a testament to our shared vision—one where voices are heard, actions are informed, and policies are shaped with everyone at the table,” he said. “Our purpose here is clear: to empower urban youth refugees to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives and to build sustainable platforms for advocacy and collaboration.”
Mr. Olupot went on to highlight Uganda’s longstanding tradition of welcoming and supporting displaced persons, but emphasized that more needs to be done to address the unique challenges faced by urban youth refugees and the host communities. “Refugees are active members of our cities and communities, yet too often, their voices are left out of conversations that directly impact their lives,” he continued. “That is why today’s dialogue is so significant. It’s an opportunity to hear directly from the youth, engage in meaningful conversations, and work together on actionable strategies.”
Ms. Nakandi Masitulah, Program Officer at Ngabo Youth Friendly Services Initiative, highlighted the importance of the National Youth Refugee Dialogue, which was held under the Safe and Inclusive Cities Project, a partnership with Plan International Uganda.
“Today’s dialogue brought together young urban refugees and youth from host communities to create a platform where their voices could be heard,” she explained. “We aimed to provide an advocacy space where urban refugee youth can raise the issues affecting them, articulate their needs, and make recommendations to key stakeholders and duty bearers.”
Masitulah emphasized the importance of the dialogue in bridging the gap between refugee youth and policymakers, noting that the Parliamentary Forum on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons had committed to further engagements. “Through this meeting, we were able to secure a commitment from the parliamentary forum to hold another session with the Speaker of Parliament, bringing urban refugee youth together to share their challenges and work on concrete solutions moving forward,” she stated. “Our goal is to build a Uganda that is not only inclusive but fosters peaceful coexistence between urban refugee youth and their host communities.”
She further outlined some of the key advocacy points raised during the dialogue. “First, we need to create a dedicated platform for urban refugee youth to voice their concerns, ensuring that this platform is inclusive of both refugees and host communities,” she said. “Another critical issue raised is the language barrier that many refugees face, which limits their ability to access opportunities and integrate within their communities. Additionally, a significant challenge is the lack of proper documentation, which prevents many refugees from accessing basic services like education, healthcare, and employment.”
Masitulah called for stronger collaboration between different departments and ministries, particularly the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), to address the documentation issues faced by refugees. We need to work with OPM and other relevant bodies to ensure refugees have the proper legal documents, enabling them to access essential services like education, healthcare, and employment opportunities,” she added. “These are basic rights that every refugee should have access to, and it’s crucial for fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.”
