Uganda is facing a looming humanitarian crisis following an announcement by foreign donors that they will withdraw financial aid for refugee feeding programs within the next three months. The decision places the responsibility of feeding the 1.7 million refugees in Uganda squarely on the government.
The revelation was made by Kasule Lumumba, Minister of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), while appearing before Parliament’s Presidential Affairs Committee. Lumumba, who led the OPM delegation to present the ministry’s 2025/26 ministerial policy statement, informed lawmakers that the donor exit would leave Uganda with an enormous financial burden.
“The government will be required to shoulder the financial obligation of feeding all the 1.7 million refugees residing in Uganda after the donors pull out in three months,” Lumumba told the committee.
Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, with the majority fleeing conflicts from neighboring countries such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi. The country has long been praised for its open-door refugee policy, which grants refugees rights to work, move freely, and access social services. However, much of the funding for food assistance has been reliant on international donors, including the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian agencies.
The minister’s statement has raised concerns over the sustainability of Uganda’s refugee policy in the absence of external funding. Already, refugees in Uganda have faced food ration cuts due to funding shortfalls in recent years. The impending withdrawal of donor support could exacerbate food insecurity among refugee communities, leading to potential social and security challenges.
Government officials have not yet outlined how Uganda plans to bridge the financial gap. However, there are growing calls for increased domestic resource mobilization, engagement with alternative development partners, and innovative strategies to sustain refugee welfare.
The withdrawal of funding comes amid broader global challenges in humanitarian assistance, with many donor countries redirecting resources to domestic crises and geopolitical priorities. The Ugandan government now faces the urgent task of devising sustainable solutions to ensure that refugees continue to receive essential food aid and support.
