Interrogating the right to education for urban refugee children : a case study of Kisenyi-Kampala

Abstract

The study investigates the right to education for urban refugee children in Kisenyi-Kampala, Uganda, focusing on two major schools with a significant number of refugee pupils. The research aims to examine the availability of relevant international, regional, and domestic legal frameworks for these children and propose recommendations for solutions to enhance their right to education. Despite the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) by the Ugandan government, urban refugee children face education inequalities due to a lack of statutory instruments, unclear education Act, inadequate inspections by the Ministry of Education and Directorate of Education and Social Services, language barriers, and lack of economic emancipation. The study adopted a qualitative research method and targeted refugee children, with key respondents including the Department of Refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister, UNHCR, Directorate of Education-KCCA, Teachers, and the Ministry of Education. The study found that nationals are given priority during school enrolment compared to refugees, leading to marginalization and difficulties in accessing education. The policy and legal framework in Uganda do not support the realization of education for urban refugee children, and the government department responsible for managing refugee affairs lacks specific policies on education for these children. This study highlights the hidden evil obscuring urban refugee children's right to education.