Livelihood Security Among Refugees in Uganda: Opportunities, Obstacles, and Physical Security Implications

This research project was designed to investigate the challenges refugees face in securing a livelihood, to understand the extent to which the United Nations, the government of Uganda, and various aid groups are able to assist refugees in achieving self-reliance, and the capacity that refugees have to empower themselves. It also endeavors to expose any disparities between nationality groups, and the impact of these differences. Furthermore, this project aims to explore the impact of refugee livelihood security on regional physical security and community stability. The study found that despite international and national policies, and efforts by both non-governmental organizations and refugees to promote livelihood security, the lack of resources available to these offices, the unfavorable business and living conditions inhibiting refugees, and the pervasiveness of dependency prevent long-term solutions for livelihood security and self-reliance from being implemented. It further concludes that the cycle of poverty and dependency will likely continue, especially among Congolese refugees who are the least successful nationality group in securing their livelihoods, unless long-term empowerment and capacity building plans replace short-term handouts as a solution to income and food insecurity. Lastly, regional violence, particularly regarding rebel movements, cannot be addressed until basic human insecurity, including livelihood security among refugees, is also acknowledged and ameliorated. [excerpt