Uganda’s refugee policy (2006) and enhancement of national security: A case of Pagirinya Refugee Settlement, Adjumani District

Abstract

Historically, human beings from the earliest societies to the present time have been and have continued to migrate from their homes or countries of origin for different reasons. These reasons range from economic to fleeing war and conflict. However, these sort of unprepared migration leads to a mirage of issues for the host communities if not properly managed. To address these potential migration related issues, countries, including Uganda, set up policies and mechanisms to ensure that refugees properly assimilate, do not negatively impact the economic wellbeing of the nation and are accepted by members of the host communities. This study therefore seeks to understand the relationship between the refugee policy of Uganda and the enhancement of national security. To achieve the overall objective of study, the researcher adopted the Securitization theory has propounded by Ole Weaver.

The study aimed to achieve the following objectives; to examine the factors accounting for refugee influx into Uganda, to examine the relationship between freedoms and privileges granted to refugees affect and national security, and to examine the strategies put in place to mitigate national insecurities caused by refugee influx. Using a mixed method research approach, the study found out that the major attraction for refugees and asylum seekers into Uganda is the fact that Uganda is widely considered as an accommodating nation and its close proximity to a lot of conflict prone nations.

Refugees in Uganda were found to be mostly running away from war, famine and communal or inter-communal conflicts. Secondly, the findings showed a relationship between freedoms and privileges granted to refugees and national security in Uganda. Finally, the study identified some strategies put in place by the government of Uganda and their effectiveness in addressing refugee related national security issues. These strategies include, awareness campaigns, incentives to host communities, expedition of asylum application and educating asylum seekers about the norms, cultures and laws of the host country