Minister Engola to Probe Eritrea Over Surge in Refugee Arrivals

Uganda is set to engage the Eritrean government to investigate the escalating number of asylum seekers from Eritrea entering the country. Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, announced his intention to open dialogue with Asmara to ascertain the root causes behind this growing influx.

These remarks were made during Engola’s initial familiarization meetings with staff at the Department of Refugees within the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala. He expressed concern, noting a discrepancy between reports of stability in Eritrea and the continuous arrival of refugees in Uganda.

The Minister highlighted that over seventy thousand Eritrean refugees are currently hosted in Uganda. He believes understanding the drivers of this migration is crucial for effective government planning, including reception, settlement, and resource allocation for both the refugee population and the host communities.

Since taking over the ministry, Engola has prioritized understanding the refugee management system’s operations and improving coordination within the Office of the Prime Minister. Uganda is known for hosting one of Africa’s largest refugee populations, with significant numbers arriving from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Eritrea.

The nation’s open-door refugee policy, while internationally commended, places considerable pressure on social services and humanitarian funding. Officials have previously appealed for enhanced international support to maintain assistance programs for both refugees and their host communities.

This engagement with Eritrean authorities is part of a broader review by the Ugandan government into emerging trends in refugee inflows and long-term management strategies.

Source: Nile Post