KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Ugandan government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have jointly announced staff reductions within refugee operations across Uganda, attributing the difficult decision to a challenging global funding environment and severe budget limitations.
In a joint statement issued on May 30, 2025, following a meeting on May 23, 2025, officials from the Government of Uganda and UNHCR acknowledged the significant impact these measures would have on affected personnel and the refugees they serve. The statement expressed deep regret over the impending layoffs and outlined the steps being taken to mitigate the effects.
The statement signed by Eng. Hilary Onek (MP), Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, and Matthew Crentsil, Country Representative for UNHCR Uganda reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between Uganda’s refugee response stakeholders, emphasizing a continued commitment to working hand-in-hand to ensure transparency, alignment with national priorities, and the continued delivery of essential services to refugees.
Uganda continues to host a substantial refugee population, with over 110,000 new arrivals recorded this year, bringing the total number of refugees to 1.9 million. Despite this immense responsibility, the UNHCR Uganda operation remains critically underfunded, with only 17% of its required budget for 2025 secured.
Both parties jointly appealed to the international community for urgent stepped-up support, highlighting Uganda’s exemplary refugee policy and the need for sustained international solidarity to ensure continued protection for those in need.