Gov’t of Japan has contributed UGX 22.4 Bn to support Uganda’s refugee response.
At the end of April 2026, the number of Refugees hosted by Uganda had exceeded 2 million people, while arrivals from Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan continue, reductions in humanitarian funding have created an extremely difficult situation on the ground unlike ever before.
The Government of Japan has contributed US$6 million (approximately UGX 22.4 billion) to United Nations agencies to bolster refugee response efforts in Uganda, aimed at providing critical assistance to both refugees and their host communities.
The funding will support agencies including the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
The announcement was made during a joint press briefing with UN agencies in Kampala on Thursday 7th May 2026, highlighting continued international support for Uganda’s efforts to manage the refugee crisis.
The contribution to UN representatives focuses on boosting nutrition response efforts, strengthening protection, supporting economic activities, providing aid to newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers among others, reinforcing Japan’s support for Uganda, which hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa.
Japanese Ambassodor to Uganda (R) Sasayama Takuya.
According Mr. Sasayama Takuya, the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, said that the contribution is aimed at strengthening support for refugees and host communities by boosting nutrition response efforts and enhancing protection for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers.
“Uganda participates in several projects under Japan’s supplementary budget funding scheme in areas such as emergency response, peace and security, strengthening early warning systems. Uganda’s commitment of towards refuges is commendable amid changing structures of balance of power with tensions.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Mr. Leonard Zulu said that Japan through the Supplementary allocation have supported the work of the United Nations over the years acknowledging the generous contribution in support of refugee response in Uganda.
“The newly announced contribution of is both timely and critical. It will strengthen assistance for refugees and communities hosting them, boost nutritionefforts, enhance community managed solar energy hubs” he said
The Assistant Commissioner for Refugees, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Douglas Asiimwe while commending Japan government for the contribution, said that Japan has been a trusted partner in advancing Uganda’s refugee response serving a co-conveners of the Global Refugee Forum.
He added that the 3 projects launched directly respond to urgent needs on the ground to be implemented by UNHCR, WFP and IOM including biometric registration, essential services, nutrition assistance, and solar-powered community hubs among others.
“These interventions by UNHCR and WFP provide essential services that form the foundation of refugee assistance. In Yumbe district, IOM will establish solar powered community energy hubs to support refrigeration, irrigation and economic activities. This reflects Uganda’s shift from emergency response toward resilience” he said
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) part of the United Nations System in particular was allocated USD 1 Million to establish solar-powered community energy hubs to reduce dependence on aid and promote self-reliance among refugees.
Uganda will join the rest of the world to celebrate World Refugees Day that falls on 20th June every year. Preparations and celebration will be held at Old Kampala.
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