In a bid to streamline policy frameworks and resource allocation, RELON UGANDA in partnership with the Parliamentary Forum on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (PFRIDPs), hosted a high-level dialogue on refugees and host community contributions to Uganda’s refugee response.
The dialogue was held under the theme: “Promoting joint strategies for the localization of refugees and disaster response and supporting policy alignment with Uganda’s National Development Priorities.”
In his speech during the dialogue, read by Mamawi James, the MP Adjumani East, Tom Bright Amooti, the Chairperson, of PFRIDPs in Uganda, noted that Parliamentarians are tasked with ensuring that Uganda’s legislative and budgetary priorities reflect the realities on the ground by advocating for increased funding, passing key legislation, or promoting policies that empower refugees and host communities.
Mamawi James, the MP Adjumani East, noted that the challenges faced by refugees are cross-cutting, notably underfunding. “What is happening in Adjumani is the same in Kyaka, Lamwo, Rwamwanja, and elsewhere. Adjumani’s population is around 231,000, but the population of refugees is around 245,000. These people are dying from hunger due to food ration cut and unemployment is also a problem. Our partners as you sit for your high level meetings; we want to request that let’s plan for these refugees,” said Mamawi.
Ruth Gyayo, the principal inspector in the ministry of local government noted that promoting awareness and education on management of disaster is pertinent. She added that local authorities are there to support humanitarian rights, and to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
“Localization is important and we must embrace it,” noted Gyayo.
Julian Ateme, the Community Services Assistant at UNHCR, appreciated RELON for bringing all the stakeholders in one room to discuss refugee matters. “I am happy that the area MPs are interested in issues of refugees. We need to work together. The host communities are receiving services together with refugees. Refugees are happy and they appreciate the host community” said Ateme.
“UNHCR and the partners are willing to work with government, legislators, and all the other actors to help refugees and the host community coexist amicably. UNHCR collaborates with the government, and we acknowledge the gaps in the way refugee issues are handled,” noted Ateme.
Dr John Ntahira Bolingo, the RELON Board Chairperson, revealed that refugees don’t need handouts, but they need to be empowered so they can be able to empower themselves and also be able to contribute to the economy of this country.
“At RELON, we understand the way forward is collaboration. In partnership with key stakeholders, including local leaders, government representatives, and humanitarian partners, RELON aims to promote a sustainable and coordinated response to refugees,” said Bolingo.
Dr. George Didi Bhoka, the MP representing Obongi district (a refugee hosting district) appreciated the government of Uganda for the domestication of the international humanitarian laws.
“Refugees are not a local problem, it’s a global problem. As a country we are part of the global community and we have a duty to contribute to the realization of the rights of refugees to access critical services. We are faced with a protracted humanitarian crisis, we need to explore sustainable solutions,” said Dr. Bhoka.
“As legislators, we are committed to the legal and regulatory policy frameworks concerning refugees, we are committed to the appropriation of sufficient resources within the available resources. We commit to do our oversight role not limited to national resources but all resources that come to INGOs to avoid wastage of resources,” said Dr. Bhoka.
Amooti, the Chairperson, PFRIDPs highlighted that we must acknowledge the critical issues that remain unresolved;
i. The persistent funding crisis that threatens the sustainability of humanitarian response.
ii. The urgent need for a Disaster Law to provide a comprehensive framework for managing crises.
iii. The localization agenda, which calls for empowering refugee-led and community-driven initiatives.
Other issues that came out in the dialogue were;
iv. Lack of accountability and transparency from humanitarian actors
v. Unequal resource distribution
vi. Barriers to access and gaps in service delivery