Kikuube struggles to cope with rising Congolese refugee influx

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The influx of Congolese fleeing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the Kyangwali refugee settlement camp is causing concern among leaders in Kikuube District.

According to Tophious Challi, the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement Commandant, the camp is currently receiving between 350 and 500 asylum seekers daily from Congo through the Sebagoro landing site. 

This has led to congestion at the camp, with limited resources available to provide necessary support, particularly food, following recent cuts in donor aid by former US President Donald Trump.

Challi noted that previously, the Kyangwali refugee settlement camp received fewer than 50 asylum seekers per day from the DRC. However, since January 2025, the numbers have risen significantly.

“For instance, by Friday last week, the camp had received 1,063 asylum seekers within three days. On Sunday, we received 367 new entrants; on Monday, 517; and by mid-morning on Friday, a total of 300 were at Kagoma reception centre awaiting registration,” she said.

At the Sebagoro transit centre on Lake Albert, refugees are provided with high-nutrient biscuits by the World Food Programme (WFP). At the Kagoma reception centre, they are given hot meals.

“The number of refugees entering the country is too high. Normally, as numbers increase, resources increase too. But now, as numbers rise, resources are decreasing,” Challi explained.

While the Kyangwali Camp has a capacity of 200,000 refugees, by the end of February, it had already registered 145,000. There are fears that if the influx continues at this pace, the camp will become overcrowded.

Challi highlighted that the most affected sectors are health and education, where several NGOs and donors have withdrawn their support. This has led to cuts in food rations and threats to reduce plot sizes from 30 by 50 metres due to the ever-increasing number of refugees.

“Save the Children pulled out, and the education sector is affected. Over 30,000 refugees lack birth certificates, and there is no organisation to advocate for gender-based issues or access to justice. The health centre is also struggling, and refugees are falling sick due to poor conditions, among other challenges,” she said.

Robert Kwesiga, the Uganda Red Cross Society secretary general, advised the government to use the available limited resources efficiently, warning of tough times ahead.

Peter Banura, the Kikuube district LC5 chairperson, recently expressed concern over the increasing number of refugees entering the district.

Some of the refugees being screened as they entered Uganda through Sebagoro landing site in Kikuube district on Monday.

Prior stated that transit centres are operating beyond capacity.

He explained that the Sebagoro transit centre has seen a daily increase of over 120 new arrivals, up from the previous average of 50 people. Meanwhile, the Nyakabande transit centre in the southwest, designed to host 850 people, is now sheltering over 5,000. 

On March 12, 2025, the centre registered over 1,200 new arrivals. This surge has exceeded its capacity to cope, as well as the food and nutrition assistance WFP had planned for.

“WFP’s food stocks are critically low, sufficient for only one month in some areas. Recent ration cuts due to funding shortages have reduced assistance for the existing 1.8 million refugees. Without additional funding, WFP’s ability to support new arrivals is compromised, risking further ration cuts for refugees,” said Marcus.

He added that there is a significant risk that food assistance could cease by June 2025 at the current rate of arrivals and funding levels if additional funding is not secured.

“In the southwestern region, refugee food stocks are critically low, enough for just two weeks to a month, depending on the refugee transit point or settlement,” he said.

Prior emphasised that WFP urgently requires US$54 million to assist the over 1.4 million refugees in Uganda. US$62 million funding shortfall has already led to drastic ration cuts.

“This funding is vital to prevent hunger, malnutrition, sustain and scale critical nutrition interventions, targeted supplementary food programmes, and instability caused by refugee upheaval due to rationing, while supporting refugee self-reliance programmes,” he said.