Uganda

Introduction

Uganda hosts 2 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it the largest refugee hosting country in Africa and among the top 6 globally. 

Most refugees originate from South Sudan (52%) and  the Democratic Republic of the Congo (33%). Since 2022, over 550,000 refugees and asylum seekers have entered the country, including a growing number fleeing the ongoing war in Sudan, with over 80,000 Sudanese refugees arriving since April 2023.

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those most in need.

EU humanitarian funding:

More than €3,194 million since 2021

What are the needs?

Half of Uganda’s refugee and asylum seeker population is under 18 years, and 77% of the 2 million refugees are women and children. This underscores the urgent need for integrated, life-saving humanitarian assistance amidst declining humanitarian funding to meet basic needs.

As a result of global aid funding shrinking, negative coping mechanisms have emerged, affecting not only refugees but also threatening the peaceful coexistence between refugee populations and host communities. 

Natural hazards

The country also faces multiple and overlapping risks, including natural hazards such as floods, landslides, drought, hailstorms, with climate change intensifying these hazards resulting into more frequent and extreme weather events across the country. 

Uganda is equally prone to recurrent epidemics such as:

• cholera
• ebola
• malaria
• measles
• mpox (more recently)

Frequent disease outbreaks and recurring high-risk hazards both require robust early warning systems, strengthened preparedness, and rapid response capacities to reduce mortality, prevent wider impacts, through timely and effective action. 

How are we helping?

Since 2021, the EU has supported humanitarian action in Uganda with more than €194 million.

For 2025, the EU allocated €20.5 million for humanitarian aid, plus  €1.4 million toward the Ebola outbreak. In 2026, and in line with this long-standing commitment, €20.7 million has been allocated to address 3 main situations of concern, with an overarching aim to progressively transition towards government-led systems and long-term sustainable solutions:

EU funding

EU humanitarian funds help address the needs of the most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers alongside their respective host communities and the needs of people exposed to natural hazards. It focuses on providing rapid and effective emergency assistance to recently arrived refugees, supporting access to basic services in refugee settlements, preparing and responding to disasters. 

EU funding makes a major contribution to the provision of: 

Education in emergencies

Many refugee and host community children are out of school. EU humanitarian aid contributes to ensuring safe and inclusive access to quality formal and non-formal primary and secondary education for refugee children, as well as for the especially vulnerable children of host communities. For 2026, the EU has awarded €3.0 million for education in emergencies of the total budget of €20.7 million.

Depending on their needs, children and adolescents receive tailor-made assistance based on age, gender, and abilities. The EU has supported the introduction of differentiated food assistance – mainly through cash –to prioritise and optimise the use of limited resources.

Development aid

Beyond the provision of humanitarian aid, the EU supports the resilience and autonomy of the most vulnerable people, reducing their dependency on aid in the long term. This is particularly relevant in Uganda, where refugees can move freely, work, and start businesses. EU development aid in Uganda complements humanitarian aid in areas with a high refugee population. It addresses the longer-term needs of refugees and their host communities, such as vocational training for young people and strengthening local livelihoods.