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9 Transnat'l Hum. Rts. Rev. 1 (2022)

handle is hein.journals/tranhurrv9 and id is 1 raw text is: 




EXPLORING THE MULTIPLE PARADOXES AND CHALLENGES OF UGANDA'S
REFUGEE LAW, POLICIES AND PRACTICE


J. OLOKA-ONYANGO*


                                      Abstract


       Uganda  has garnered considerable international praise for its 'open-door'
       policies on refugees. This is particularly the case against the backdrop of a
       global context of the growing phenomenon   of states constructing physical
       and  metaphorical  walls against the phenomenon   of migration,  whether
       forced or  voluntary. Nevertheless,  such praise conceals a  much  more
       complex  context of opportunistic strategizing, donor politics and regional
       geopolitical balancing. In sum, what  is lauded as 'progressive' is much
       more problematic and nuanced,  especially with respect to the issue of local
       integration (particularly for long-term refugees), voluntary repatriation and
       the management  and funding of refugee support.


I. INTRODUCTION
Uganda occupies a prominent position in contemporary debates on forced migration. In a
2018/2019 Global Appeal to humanitarian actors, major donors and the international community,
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) made the following assertion:
       The Government of Uganda has maintained open borders and has one of the most
       progressive refugee policies in Africa, promoting self-reliance of refugees and
       peaceful co-existence with host communities. However, it needs urgent and large-
       scale support to respond to this critical situation.1


The statement encompasses several important elements, the most critical being the considerable
praise heaped on the Government of Uganda (GoU). Underlying this statement are significant
paradoxes or challenges, and even some silences. However, my concern in this paper is with



* Professional Affiliation: School of Law, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
'UNHCR, Global Appeal, 2018-2019, Geneva at 66 online: <https://www.unhcr.or2/publications/fundraising/5a0c05027/unhcr- lobal-appeal-
2018-2019-full-report.html>.
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