Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:
Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries
138
practices and skills training), integrated and sustainable social services (particularly in the
health and education sectors), and social cohesion.42
This builds on the Self-Reliance Strategy introduced by OPM and UNHCR in 1999, which had
the overarching goals of (1) promoting self-reliance for refugees and host communities, and
(2) integrating refugee services (e.g. education and health services, water and sanitation,
agricultural production and livelihoods) with those of the host communities, partly by
investing in local infrastructure.43 While it did not achieve its goals of self-sufficiency (and
thus, eliminating the need for food rations), a 2004 evaluation reported it improved access to
education and health services for both refugees and nationals, and led to an upgrading of
community infrastructure (e.g. water and roads).44 The Self-Reliance Strategy (1999-2003)
was followed by the Development Assistance for Refugees (DAR).
Housing
Like some other countries in the region, Uganda operates a local settlement policy that
allocates land in rural areas to refugees to settle on with the expectation of becoming self-
sufficient over time.45 This policy dates back several decades, but is codified in the 2006 Act.
This Act allows the Minister to designate land as transit centers or refugee settlements to
temporarily shelter to asylum seekers waiting for a decision and to provide local settlement
and integration for recognized refugees.46
When refugees arrive in Uganda, many are transported to reception or transit centers, where
they are registered and, in the case of individual status determination, await a decision on
their application. Once granted refugee status, refugees are then allocated a plot of land for
shelter and growing crops to supplement their food rations. However, refugees do not own
this land, and so are not allowed to lease or sell the land they are allocated.47 The length of
stay at these reception or transit centers varies, and likely is related to factors like the
processing of refugee claims and awarding of status, and finding a suitable plot of land—
though in some cases, refugees without land are hosted by other refugees or are permitted to
stay in an area within the settlement. This process can be further delayed during a mass influx
of refugees. For example, in Adjumani District (which has taken in a significant number of
South Sudanese refugees since December 2013), Nyumanzi transit center was reportedly at
more than double its capacity as of June 2016, with refugees often staying for more than a
month.48
The settlements may be on government land (e.g. Nakivale) or on communal land following
negotiations between the government and the host community (e.g. Adjumani District). These
settlements are often positioned in remote, poor parts of Uganda, where host communities
already struggle to access services and sustainable livelihoods. In addition, the settlements are
42 UNHCR, “ReHoPE Strategic Framework,” October 14, 2015,
43 Government of Uganda and UNHCR, Self-Reliance Strategy (1999 to 2003) For Refugee-Hosting Areas in Moyo, Arua and
Adjumani Districts, Uganda, March 2004
44 Issues included a continued reliance on (declining) UNHCR funds, a lack of ties to development activities, and a lack of
sustained support for developing sustainable alternative livelihoods. Ibid.
45 Examples have included Zambia and Tanzania. Emmanuel Bagenda, Angela Naggaga, and Elliott Smith, “Land Problems in
Nakivale Settlement and the Implications for Refugee Protection in Uganda,” Refugee Law Project Working Paper No. 8, May
2003
46 Article 44, The Refugees Act 2006; Tania Kaiser, “Between a camp and a hard place: rights, livelihood and experiences of
the local settlement system for long-term refugees in Uganda,” Journal of Modern African Studies 44:4 (2006): 597-621.
47 Uganda Refugee Regulations 2010, article 65
48 Rajiv Golla, “Is a model refugee policy in Africa doomed?” IRIN News, June 13, 2016,