news 23 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Pledges $328 Million for Refugee Settlement Infrastructure Amidst Corruption Warning
Uganda's Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, has announced a significant $328 million boost for refugee settlement infrastructure, funded by the World Bank. He also issued a stern warning against corruption in refugee registration processes. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/refugee-settlement-infrastructure-to-get-328m-boost-engola-says-5607134
Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, has announced a substantial financial injection of $328 million aimed at improving infrastructure within Uganda’s refugee settlements. This funding, part of the World Bank-funded Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP II), is set to be rolled out starting next month.
During an event at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, where new community facilities including six mosques and a madrasa classroom block were inaugurated, Minister Engola emphasized the importance of dignity and transparency in handling refugees. He directly addressed officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, UNHCR, and various humanitarian organizations, warning them against engaging in corrupt practices during the registration and documentation of refugees and asylum seekers.
“Those who settled in Uganda did not do so by choice,” Engola stated, highlighting that refugees are fleeing conflict and deserve to be treated with respect. He also encouraged refugees whose home countries have achieved peace to consider voluntary repatriation, a move that would allow for a more focused allocation of limited resources towards those still in need of protection.
The minister noted that Uganda has facilitated the return of approximately 1,900 to 2,000 Sudanese refugees out of the roughly 96,000 hosted in the country. While encouraging voluntary return for some, he mentioned that Eritrean refugees would continue to be hosted as conditions in their home country are not yet conducive for their return.
Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, which hosts about 169,800 individuals from 15 different countries, has seen the handover of facilities funded by Muslim Charity UK through the local NGO Lisa Supporting and Sustaining Lives (LSSL). These facilities, costing over Shs350 million, aim to address the previously unmet needs for places of worship and community spaces. LSSL has also been involved in providing vocational training and seed capital to foster self-reliance among refugees. Despite these advancements, the settlement faces challenges including personnel shortages, transport limitations, and inadequate security and base camp infrastructure.