By Caroline N
The Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, has pledged to engage the government of Eritrea to establish the reasons behind the continued increase in the number of Eritrean refugees seeking asylum in Uganda.
Speaking during a meeting with staff of the Refugees Department under the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, Engola said the trend had raised concern, particularly because Eritrea is widely perceived to be relatively stable.
According to the minister, Uganda is currently hosting more than 70,000 refugees from Eritrea, a figure he said warrants closer attention to understand the circumstances compelling people to leave their country and seek refuge elsewhere.
Engola said he intends to engage the Eritrean authorities through the appropriate diplomatic channels to gain a clearer understanding of the factors contributing to the continued refugee influx.
He noted that obtaining accurate information would help the government strengthen its response and ensure that refugee management policies remain informed by the prevailing realities.
The Minister made the remarks during his familiarisation meeting with officials from the Refugees Department, which forms part of his introduction to his new portfolio following his recent appointment as Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.
He said the familiarisation exercise is intended to provide him with a comprehensive understanding of the department’s mandate, ongoing programmes, achievements and operational challenges. He added that such engagements are essential in identifying areas that require policy attention and improved coordination.
Engola reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining Uganda’s long-standing refugee protection policy while ensuring that refugee management remains effective and responsive to emerging challenges.
During the meeting, officials from the Refugees Department briefed the minister on the department’s work, including the management of refugee settlements, coordination with humanitarian partners and the implementation of programmes aimed at supporting refugees and their host communities.
The discussions also focused on the increasing demands placed on refugee services as Uganda continues to receive people fleeing conflict, insecurity and other humanitarian challenges from different parts of the region.
The Commissioner for the Refugees Department, Patrick Okello, was among the officials who attended the meeting and briefed the minister on the department’s operations.
Uganda remains one of Africa’s leading refugee-hosting countries, accommodating people from several neighbouring states under a policy that allows refugees access to land, education, healthcare and opportunities to earn a livelihood.
Engola’s planned engagement with the Eritrean government is expected to provide greater insight into the factors behind the growing number of Eritrean refugees in Uganda and support efforts to strengthen the country’s refugee response through informed policy and regional cooperation.