REFUGEE CASH CRISIS! Tayebwa Demands More EU Support as Uganda Hosts Over 2M
By Evans Najuna
KAMPALA – Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called on the European Union (EU) to increase financial and other support to Uganda as the country grapples with a growing refugee population and declining humanitarian funding.
Tayebwa made the appeal on Monday at Parliament while meeting Members of the European Parliament, Tineke Strik and Anna Strolenberg, who are in Uganda to assess the country’s refugee policies and explore ways of strengthening EU-Uganda cooperation on refugee management.
Uganda currently hosts more than two million refugees and asylum-seekers, according to figures from the Department of Refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister, making it one of Africa’s largest refugee-hosting countries.
The majority of the refugees are women and children, with most fleeing conflicts in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tayebwa said Uganda’s continued reception of refugees is rooted in its humanitarian values but warned that the growing refugee population, coupled with declining international funding, is putting increasing pressure on public services and host communities.
“These people are helpless; they are vulnerable. We struggle to provide for these refugees, but we are not struggling with the spirit of humanity to welcome them,” Tayebwa said.
FUNDING GAP
Uganda’s refugee response is facing a major funding shortfall.
The 2026 Uganda Country Refugee Response Plan requires US$850 million, but only 12% of the appeal has so far been provided by international partners, according to figures cited by Tayebwa.
He warned that the funding gap is affecting the ability of Government and humanitarian agencies to provide essential services to refugees and host communities.
“All this is happening at a time when there is a decline in funding,” he said.
Tayebwa said the consequences of underfunding are also being felt by Government institutions responsible for refugee management, particularly the Office of the Prime Minister.
He said the Department of Refugees has fewer staff, while the number of teachers and health workers previously supported by international partners in refugee-hosting communities has also declined.
“From our assessment, the current humanitarian funding model is no longer sufficient. Without alternative financing, pressure will overwhelm the government and host communities,” Tayebwa said.
TAYEBWA PUSHES FOR ROOT-CAUSE SOLUTION
The Deputy Speaker also urged the EU to look beyond humanitarian financing and support efforts aimed at addressing conflicts that continue to drive people from neighbouring countries into Uganda.
“We should go to the root cause of the problem in the region that causes the refugee influx,” he said.
Tayebwa warned that prolonged displacement without adequate support could expose refugees and other vulnerable populations to trafficking and recruitment by armed groups.
“If Uganda cannot help these people settle, they are the people who will join Al-Shabaab; these are the people who will be trafficked to Europe,” he said.
He further called for stronger EU-Africa relations amid what he described as growing uncertainty in global politics.
“The relationship between the EU and Africa is dependable. This is the right time for the EU to strengthen and cement its relationship with Africa,” Tayebwa said.
EU SUPPORT
The EU has allocated €20.7 million in humanitarian assistance to Uganda in 2026, following €23.9 million in 2025.
According to EU figures cited during the meeting, the bloc has provided more than €194 million in humanitarian funding to Uganda since 2021.
Strik acknowledged Uganda’s role in hosting refugees and said the country could provide lessons to European countries on receiving people fleeing conflict.
“The EU and also the Netherlands can take Uganda as an example of hospitality,” Strik said.
She also called for increased international financing for countries hosting large refugee populations.
“International partners should not leave Uganda alone,” she added.
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