UK Announces Shs9bn Funding to Support Refugees & Host Communities in Uganda

The United Kingdom has announced a £2 million (approximately Shs9bn) partnership with AVSI Foundation to support refugees and host communities in Uganda, specifically in the Kyangwali and Kyaka II settlements in Kikuube and Kyegegwa districts.

This funding scales up the successful SMILES project, implemented by AVSI, which focuses on fostering economic self-reliance through livelihoods, vocational training and access to agricultural inputs. The initiative aligns with Uganda’s Global Refugee Forum pledge to promote resilience and self-reliance for refugees while supporting host communities.

This partnership represents the first collaboration between the UK government and AVSI Foundation, an organisation with an established record in humanitarian and development work. The UK and AVSI seek to drive sustainable, transformative change for refugees and vulnerable populations within the host communities by combining resources and expertise.

Through this project, select refugee households will gain access to essential skills and resources, helping them improve their economic stability and self-reliance. The project will work with the private sector to create jobs and support markets for products made by refugees and host communities.

The UK remains committed to supporting refugees in Uganda on their path to economic independence and resilience while advancing solutions to address the root causes of displacement. The UK commends the Government of Uganda for its leadership in addressing humanitarian needs in the region.

With this funding, the United Kingdom reaffirms its dedication to humanitarian principles and to empowering communities to build sustainable futures.

“Through this new partnership with AVSI Foundation, the UK is committed to empowering refugees and host communities in Uganda to build secure, sustainable livelihoods for economic independence. By investing in skills and resilience, we’re helping families move towards self-reliance. We commend Uganda’s leadership in providing a secure home for refugees and supporting sustainable approaches. We look forward to seeing the impact of this initiative in transforming lives,” said British High Commissioner, H.E. Lisa Chesney MBE.

“The Graduating to Economic Resilience Project comes at a time when refugees are exiting general food assistance, making it timely to accelerate self-reliance and resilience while reducing dependence on hand-outs which has been common practice among such vulnerable communities across refugee settlements and their hosts,” said Innocent Cwinyai, Programme Manager at AVSI Foundation.