Govt initiatives give hope to Refugee-Hosting, Disaster-prone Districts

By Ismael Kasooha

As the 2021–2026 political term closes, we review the initiatives implemented over the past five years by the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Ministry has been led by Senior Minister Hon. Eng. Hilary Onek, alongside two Ministers of State: Hon. Esther Anyakun (June 2021–March 2024) and Hon. Lilian Aber (March 2024–May 2026).

The Ministry’s interventions have focused on strengthening disaster risk reduction, emergency coordination systems, climate resilience, humanitarian response capacity, refugee management systems, and institutional coordination mechanisms.

These initiatives have resulted in the operationalisation of emergency coordination structures, enhanced refugee registration and documentation, improved settlement management, and strengthened collaborations with development partners.

In addition, the Ministry achieved notable successes in refugee protection, infrastructure development, and policy reform.

DRDIP

One of the successful projects implemented through this Ministry was the first phase of the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP). This project supported infrastructure development, livelihood improvement, environmental restoration, and resilience building in refugee-hosting districts.

The schools, health facilities, and water systems constructed under the World Bank-funded DRDIP have increased access to education and healthcare, as well as clean and safe water. Furthermore, the roads upgraded through this project have improved connectivity and boosted trade, directly contributing to socioeconomic transformation.

Through the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, the Ministry strengthened multi-sectoral coordination, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, resource mobilisation, and inclusion of refugees in national development planning.

It also enhanced the implementation of integrated refugee response interventions. On account of the success of the first phase of DRDIP, the second phase—also funded by the World Bank—is now underway.

Disaster Response

The Ministry responded to various disasters and issued early warnings across the country. In March 2026, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja launched the second phase of the resettlement and cash transfer programme for households at risk of landslides in the Mt. Elgon sub-region.

The Government provided Shs 56 billion to kick off the programme this financial year and will allocate additional funds in the coming financial years.

Under this resettlement programme, the Government is giving households at risk of landslides two acres of land in safer areas and Shs 10 million to support house construction.

So far, the government has acquired over 1,000 acres of land and resettled hundreds of families from the landslide-prone areas in Bugisu to Kween District.