Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has launched the Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative (URRI), a Shs145 billion ($40 million) program funded by Denmark to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable development in refugee and host communities.
Speaking at the launch, Nabbanja emphasized Uganda’s progressive refugee policy and the need for inclusive solutions to challenges posed by climate change and resource depletion.
“We do not place refugees in camps; instead, we give them land, access to services, and opportunities to contribute to the economy. However, the challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and limited resources require us to work even harder to support both refugees and host communities,” she said.
Uganda, home to Africa’s largest refugee population of over 1.8 million, faces mounting pressure on land, water, and other essential resources. URRI aims to address these challenges by introducing climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management, and financial inclusion programs. It will also promote gender equality and women’s leadership in climate adaptation and agriculture.
The program will run up to December 2028, targeting refugee-hosting districts in the West Nile, Northern, and Western regions. The Danish Refugee Council will lead implementation in West Nile, covering Madi-Okollo, Terego, Koboko, Yumbe, Obongi, and Moyo districts, while Save the Children will oversee activities in Adjumani, Lamwo, and Kyegegwa.
Danish Ambassador to Uganda, Signe Winding Albjerg, reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to Uganda’s refugee response.
“Through URRI, we commit to addressing the pressing needs of both refugees and host communities while upholding Uganda’s progressive refugee policy. Denmark’s role in this effort speaks to the strong, historic, and deeply rooted partnership between our nations over the past three decades,” she said.
URRI’s key components include training in climate-smart agriculture, value addition, and post-harvest handling. It will also promote energy-saving technologies, alternative livelihoods, and leadership programs for women and adolescent girls. Additionally, households and communities will benefit from tree-planting initiatives to restore ecosystems.
Nabbanja assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in implementing URRI.
