Refugees and access to higher education in a host country: A case of Somali refugees in Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

The study takes a critical security studies approach in which education is considered as a form empowerment which enhances human security of refugees. This study investigated the opportunities and obstacles to higher education access by refugees in Uganda. Based on the notion that education is a right for all, the study sought to contribute to the understanding the factors that affecting refugee education in a host country, addressing following specific objectives such as (i) to explore the available opportunities for Somali refugees for accessing higher education in Uganda, (ii) to examine the challenges faced by Somali Refugees in accessing higher education in Uganda and (iii) to suggest ways through which Somali refugees can improve access to Higher education in Uganda.Using a qualitative study design, the study conducted 37 interviews involving Somali students, business community and university lecturers from universities in Uganda. The study finds that there are very limited university sponsorship opportunities to enable Somali refugees’ access higher education. There are also serious English language comprehension barriers which inhibit the enrollment into and completion of university level education among non-English speaking Somali refugees. The study recommends that a special intervention should be designed to increase university access by refugees in Uganda