Deputy Speaker Tayebwa calls for support for Refugee-Hosting Districts

By Hellen Namale

KAMPALA

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, has urged Members of Parliament to strengthen legislative oversight and ensure accountability in the management of resources allocated to refugee programmes.

“I also encourage you [Members of Parliament] to support policies that promote peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities,” Tayebwa said at a meeting organised by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for Members of Parliament at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday.

He also emphasised the importance of supporting refugee-hosting districts to maintain essential services and promote local development.

During the meeting, officials from OPM, including the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) Secretariat, and IGAD engaged MPs from the 12th Parliament on Uganda’s refugee response.

Participants, including development partners, discussed ways to enhance refugee management through improved coordination, accountability, sustainable interventions and stronger partnerships that benefit both refugees and host communities.

The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Sam Engola, noted that Uganda’s commitment to refugee protection goes beyond humanitarian assistance, describing it as an important part of the country’s development agenda.

“Uganda’s commitment to protecting refugees is not just a humanitarian obligation,” he said. “It’s a development agenda that requires sustained investment, shared international responsibility, and support for both refugees and the communities that host them.”

The Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Lillian Aber, reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to maintaining its progressive refugee policy despite increasing pressure on national resources. She noted that Uganda remains dedicated to protecting the rights of refugees in accordance with national and international laws.

“Despite growing pressure on national resources, Uganda has maintained its progressive refugee policy and continues to uphold the rights of refugees in accordance with national and international laws,” Aber said.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr Alex Kakooza, urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and ensure that the discussions and recommendations from the workshop translate into practical actions that create meaningful impact for refugees, host communities and the country.

The Director of the CRRF Secretariat, Helen Bugaari, emphasised the importance of coordinated interventions, noting that effective partnerships help maximise resources and create lasting impact.

Kyaka Central MP Tom Bright Amooti, who is the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, commended refugee-hosting communities for maintaining peaceful coexistence with refugees. He also commended development partners for supporting Uganda’s refugee response.

Rubirizi District Woman Member of Parliament, Jessica Arinaitwe, called for stronger collaboration among the Government, development partners, refugees and host communities in addressing challenges arising from hosting refugees.

“We can only achieve lasting solutions when government, partners, refugees and host communities work together,” Arinaitwe said. “Our policies must respond to the needs of refugees while also supporting the communities that welcome and host them.”

END