
The United Kingdom has pledged UGX 74.2 billion to support Uganda’s refugee response, aiming to provide critical assistance to over 800,000 vulnerable refugees in the country. This funding is part of the UK’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s role in hosting refugees and promoting regional stability.
Uganda hosts the largest refugee population in Africa, with over 1.7 million refugees, mostly women and children, fleeing protracted armed conflicts in neighboring countries.
The funding will be channeled through the World Food Programme to provide critical assistance to refugees in nine settlements across the country. The funding will enable the World Food Programme to expand its cash transfer program, providing refugees with the flexibility to meet their basic needs and promote self-reliance and economic empowerment.
The program will also include financial literacy training to ensure safe access to banking and mobile money services. This will enhance cost effectiveness, stimulate the local economy, and provide refugees with the flexibility to meet their priority needs.
The UK’s funding will also contribute to the World Food Programme’s Transition to Resilience Programme, which aims to improve the economic resilience and self-reliance of refugees and host communities, reducing their dependency on food assistance.