Abstract
The paper analyzes the challenge of physical (in) security of Rwandan refugees in Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements, South Western Uganda. The paper is largely based on the views of the refugees themselves. It argues that contrary to her international obligations and the general view that Uganda is a hospitable asylum country, refugees face insecurity caused by a number of factors, including actions by their country of origin and the host state, as well as local settlement dynamics and internal sources. This insecurity has negatively affected the refugees, who have adopted a number of protection measures which supplement the ones put in place by the government and UNHCR. Despite the implementation of different security measures, insecurity still prevails in the settlements.
Highlights
According to UNHCR, “by the end of 2019, 79.5 million individuals were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order”.1 Out of 79.5 million, 26 million were refugees2, 45.7 million Internally Displaced Persons and 4.2 million asylum seekers.3 Developing regions hosted 85 percent of the world’s refugees under UNHCR mandate.4 Uganda was the 4th and 1st top refugee hosting country in the world and Africa respectively
Nakivale is near Rwanda and is accessible by Rwandan security officials”.22A refugee woman expressed her fear that Oruchinga is very close to the Rwandan border
The above refugee claims were confirmed by sources within the OPM, NGO officials and local hosts, who acknowledged that Rwandan Hutu-Tutsi tensions existed in Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements
Summary
According to UNHCR, “by the end of 2019, 79.5 million individuals were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order”.1 Out of 79.5 million, 26 million were refugees2, 45.7 million Internally Displaced Persons and 4.2 million asylum seekers. Developing regions hosted 85 percent of the world’s refugees under UNHCR mandate. Uganda was the 4th and 1st top refugee hosting country in the world and Africa respectively. Uganda as the host state has the obligation of providing physical security and safety to refugees fleeing persecution. This paper analyzes the physical (in) security of Rwandan new caseload refugees in Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements, south western Uganda based to a great extent on the views of refugees. It argues that contrary to a general view that Uganda is a hospitable asylum country, refugees face insecurity caused by a number of factors, including actions by their country of origin and the host state, as well as local settlement dynamics. This insecurity has negatively affected the refugees. The paper concludes with methodological and policy implications
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