The influx of refugees on Uganda’s national security

Abstract

This paper focuses on the influx of refugees on the national security of Uganda. The study majorly focuses and was carried out in Kampala, Bidi Bidi, Kiryandongo, Kyangwali, and Nakivale refugee settlements, with the largest refugee population in Uganda respectively. The study covered a period from 2014 up to 2020. It is revealed that at all the surveyed refugee settlements, security threats stem out of the refugees’ urge to find ostensible means of survival. Land conflicts at Nakivale, Bidibidi, Kyangwali and Kiryandongo refugee settlements have caused social unrest. The competition for the shared natural resources has exacerbated the security threats posed at community level hence causing social unrest in search for livelihood. It was recommended that, there is need for the stakeholders involved in the refugee settlement programs to facilitate harmonious relations between refugees and host communities given that competition for the resources to meet human needs is quite inevitable. Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other partners should endeavor to introduce and promote eco-friendly means of fuels in order to check on environmental degradation as a way to promote sustainability development in refugee and host communities. In conclusion, the steady growth of the refugee population in Uganda as a result of conflicts and civil strife in the neighboring countries has continually posed threats to the national peace and stability.