PS Kakooza assesses refugee verification progress in Kiryandongo

By Leticia Kahubire

KIRYANDONGO

The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Mr. Alex Kakooza, on Friday visited Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Kiryandongo District to assess the progress of the ongoing refugee and asylum seeker verification exercise.

The Government conducts the verification exercise together with the UN refugee agency every two years to inform refugee response efforts. Speaking to the staff conducting the exercise at the refugee settlement, Mr. Kakooza expressed satisfaction that the activity was progressing well.

“We conduct the refugee and asylum seeker verification exercise every two years. We had started this exercise some time back but faced challenges,” he said. “However, because of the importance of this exercise, we eventually had to resume it.”

The exercise, which is being carried out across the country, started last month. At Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, verification officials reported that they had so far covered 15.24 per cent of the refugees and asylum seekers, highlighting the importance of biometric verification in strengthening data integrity.

Beyond the verification exercise, Mr. Kakooza held discussions with local leaders on pressing development concerns affecting the settlement and surrounding host communities.

He acknowledged the challenges arising from reduced funding for teachers previously supported by the UN refugee agency, noting that the Government was engaging the Ministry of Finance and development partners to identify a sustainable solution.

Permanent Secretary Mr Alex Kakooza in a group photo with the Health Staff and officials from Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement at Panyadoli Health Centre IV, which serves both refugees and host communities.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised the need to protect public land on which the settlement and key facilities are located. Mr. Kakooza toured Panyadoli Health Centre IV, which was established with support from the United Arab Emirates, and highlighted the importance of partnerships in strengthening healthcare service delivery in refugee-hosting communities.

He commended local leaders for promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities, reiterating the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing the needs of both populations.