Cultural diversity and experiences of Refugees in the border district of Adjumani, Uganda

Abstract

The humanitarian crisis or the implications of forced migration have caused more than 65 million refugees and internally displaced people around the world to flee their homes due to war, persecution, violence and human rights violation. The purpose of this dissertation is to assess the cultural diversity and experiences of refugees in the border district of Adjumani in Uganda. The displays of ethnic and cultural aspects among refugees within the settlements indicates culture as a pivotal basis of difference. This study builds upon fieldwork undertaken at Pagirinya refugee settlement, Dzaipi Sub-county, Adjumani district located in Northern Uganda along Uganda’s border with South Sudan. This fieldwork was conducted among South Sudan refugees in Pagirinya refugee settlement who have crossed border to Uganda to seek refuge, and investigates the different cultures, refugees’ experiences of tolerance and challenges refugees experience as a result of cultural diversity. Three kinds of data collection methods were used. These include ethnographic interviews, participant observation, and focus group discussions. This, in turn produced three kinds of data namely, quotations, descriptions and excerpts of documents on the basis of which narrative descriptions were derived. After transcription of notes and audio recordings, the data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that refugees are from diverse cultures and subjected to different experiences of life. Drawing on this research, understanding intercultural contests and recognizing differences not only as enriching but also as separating and creating tension among us, are recommendation to this study.