Uganda Halts Refugee Status for Eritreans, Somalis, and Ethiopians Amid Funding Crisis

The Ugandan government has announced a significant change in its refugee policy, halting the granting of asylum and refugee status to new arrivals from Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia. This decision, articulated by Hillary Onek, Uganda’s Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, is attributed to a severe decline in international funding. Onek stated that the government would no longer process refugee status for individuals from countries "not experiencing war," emphasizing the financial strain on Uganda's asylum system, which currently supports nearly two million refugees.

The financial challenges facing Uganda are stark. Onek highlighted that annual support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has plummeted from approximately $240 million to less than $100 million, with only $18 million received so far this year. The country’s 2025 refugee response plan, budgeted at $968 million, is only 25% funded, raising concerns about the sustainability of essential services for refugees. This funding crisis has been exacerbated by cuts in aid from major donors, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Humanitarian advocates have expressed alarm over Uganda's policy shift. Abdullahi Halakhe, a senior advocate at Refugees International, described the directive as part of a broader global trend of tightening refugee policies. He noted that the decision leaves many refugees in a precarious situation, unable to return home, resettle in a third country, or integrate into Ugandan society. Rights groups in Kampala argue that this move places vulnerable populations at increased risk, potentially pushing them towards irregular crossings or leaving them in legal limbo.

While the new policy affects only those seeking refugee status, it does not impact individuals already recognized as refugees. Uganda continues to accept refugees from active conflict zones, such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, officials have indicated that further adjustments to refugee policies may be necessary if funding continues to decline.

• “I have instructed our officers not to give refugee status to citizens from those countries … especially those coming from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, because there is no war there,” — Hillary Onek, Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees

• “For many refugees affected, this will be a massive blow,” — Abdullahi Halakhe, Senior Advocate, Refugees International

• “It’s a massive step backwards from Uganda after years of being a leader in a progressive refugee policy.” — Abdullahi Halakhe, Senior Advocate, Refugees International

Uganda's decision to halt refugee status for individuals from Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia marks a significant departure from its historically progressive approach to refugee management. As funding from international sources continues to dwindle, the implications for thousands of refugees remain uncertain, raising urgent questions about the future of humanitarian support in the region.