The Ugandan government has taken the drastic step of ending refugee status for thousands of people from Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia, directly attributing the move to severe cuts in international aid, with reductions from the United Kingdom highlighted as a primary cause.
Funding Shortfall Triggers Policy Shift
According to a directive from Uganda's Office of the Prime Minister dated 2 December 2025, the country will no longer grant refugee status to new arrivals from these three conflict-ridden nations. The document explicitly states that this suspension is due to "reduced donor support," naming the UK's aid budget reductions as a key factor. This policy shift marks a significant departure from Uganda's historically praised open-door policy for refugees.
Uganda currently hosts approximately 1.7 million refugees, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world. The UK, a major donor, has significantly scaled back its support. Reports indicate British aid to Uganda for refugee programs was slashed from £52.7 million in the 2022-23 financial year to just £500,000 for 2024-25—a staggering reduction of over 99%.
Immediate Consequences and Human Impact
The immediate effect of this directive is profound. New arrivals from Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia will not be granted formal refugee status, which is essential for accessing basic services and legal protection. They will instead be given temporary documents and instructed to seek assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
This creates a precarious limbo for individuals fleeing persecution, conflict, and severe human rights abuses. Eritreans, for instance, escape indefinite national service and a repressive authoritarian regime, while Somalis flee ongoing violence and Ethiopians escape the aftermath of the Tigray war and other regional conflicts. Without formal status, their right to remain, work, and access healthcare and education in Uganda is thrown into serious doubt.
Local officials in refugee-hosting districts like Adjumani have confirmed the directive's implementation, noting that new arrivals are now being turned away from standard registration points. The UNHCR has expressed deep concern, stating the suspension could leave many vulnerable people without critical assistance and protection.
A Broader Crisis of International Solidarity
This situation underscores a growing crisis in global refugee protection, where host countries in regions like East Africa are being left to shoulder immense burdens with dwindling resources. Uganda's model, which traditionally allowed refugees freedom of movement and the right to work, is now under severe strain.
The UK's aid cuts are part of a broader reduction in its official development assistance, which fell to 0.58% of gross national income in 2023, down from the 0.7% target. This retrenchment is having tangible, harmful effects on the ground, forcing tough choices upon partner nations. Aid workers warn that such moves risk destabilising regions, exacerbating humanitarian suffering, and undermining long-term development goals.
The suspension in Uganda sets a dangerous precedent and raises urgent questions about the international community's commitment to sharing responsibility for refugees. As donor nations like the UK pull back funding, the foundational principles of refugee protection are being tested in real-time, with the lives of thousands hanging in the balance.
