SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Open Democracy - Uganda’s U-turn on refugee policy leaves Sudanese asylum seekers stranded
Open Democracy report that Sudanese refugees in Uganda “feel stuck” after it announced a change to its ‘open door’ policy amid funding crisis.
In January 2024, the Ugandan government announced that Sudanese refugees would no longer be able to register as refugees while living in the capital and other urban towns around the country. All arrivals must instead now live in refugee camps to obtain such documents – and stay in the camps thereafter.
The move is a drastic change of policy for Uganda. Refugees previously had the right to work and move freely throughout the country, with access to health and education. They were also given a small plot of land to cultivate, and food and financial support.
An anonymous Ugandan official told the Ayin network that restrictions were introduced for security reasons and to reduce pressure on local services.