As at 30 September 2016, the total urban population of concern was at 84,875 (57,575 refugees and 27,300 asylum-seekers). In 2015, the Refugee Eligibility Committee (REC) handled 35,484 applications of which 31,982 were granted refugee status. These numbers are expected to increase given the expected increased number of asylum seekers arriving in Uganda in 2017 and beyond. The Refugee Appeals Board is yet to be constituted following the expiration of the tenure of the previous one. UNHCR plans to conduct specialised trainings for officials involved in RSD to enhance capacity and to foster a harmonised and consistent approach in interviewing applicants, adjudication of cases and effective decision writing.
In 2015 the Government of Uganda through OPM launched a refugee registration system called RIMS (Refugee Information Management System). RIMS is a web based application which poses challenges and registration productivity in locations with unstable internet connectivity and at times where there is network fluctuation. UNHCR will continue to provide support and assistance to OPM to ensure improvement of quality of Registration and Profiling. RIMS will require an upgrade to map with proGres and be able to collect more information in line with revising registration procedures to conduct fingerprint verification check at the point of registration and availability of an offline RIMS to overcome network challenges. Priority will be given to establish data synchronisation between RIMS and proGres. UNHCR will further support the possibility for RIMS to extract complex reports including specific needs statistics/lists, statistics breakdown by location of asylum/origin. A verification exercise will be conducted and mass renewal/issuance of new documents. Documentation will remain the key protection tool available to refugees and asylum seekers, as a mandatory requirement after registration.
The domestic asylum policy and practice of Uganda are governed by the Refugee Act 2006. Despite the generous asylum policy and support given to the socio-economic integration of refugees, the legal integration opportunity remains restrictive. The Government in collaboration with UNHCR have identified a group of 15,000 refugees who have been in Uganda for over two decades and that have developed strong social and family links in Uganda with little if any links with their Country of origin. An alternative legal status for long-stay resident permits will be explored for the group as a pathway towards eventual naturalization.
The Refugee Act 2006 and its Refugee Regulations 2010 Refugee Regulations has greatly improved the legal protections afforded to asylum seekers and refugees in Uganda. UNHCR will continue advocacy with government for the enactment of refugee protection oriented laws and policy. Advocate with the government for a revised progressive legal framework on refugee protection. Implement the roadmap for the review of the Refugee Act and Refugee Regulations to facilitate effective legal framework for refugee protection. Continue advocacy with government for the enactment of a National Refugee Policy. Advocate with the government for a progressive policy framework on refugee protection.
Prospects for voluntary repatriation from Uganda remain limited given the conflict in Eastern DRC, South Sudan and Burundi still eminent. The total resettlement needs is 16,500 refugees and among an estimated 3,300 refugees in Kampala are in need of resettlement.
Many refugee children born in Uganda do not have birth certificates despite the government’s waiver of birth certificate fees for refugees. UNHCR plans to comprehensively continue advocacy with NIRA for a system to monitor the issuance of birth certificates to refugee children. Implementation of a planned pilot with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau for registration of refugee children to facilitate access to birth certification.