Statistical Inclusion Paves the Way:
Refugees in Uganda
With over 1.8 million forcibly displaced persons, Uganda is a major destination for refugees in East and Horn of Africa. Its welcoming policies have supported a large number of refugees in Africa, which has increased fivefold over the past decade.
Uganda‘s efforts toward statistical inclusion have resulted in two groundbreaking studies that provide comprehensive data on forcibly displaced persons. The 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) marked a pivotal moment in the survey series by expanding its sample to cover nine refugee settlements. This was followed by the 2023-2024 Uganda National Household Survey Report, which fully integrated refugees for the first time. Together, these studies offer an unprecedented view of living conditions among displaced persons, examining indicators of housing, education, marital status, family planning, health, and economic participation.
The demographic profile of forcibly displaced persons and host communities reveals distinct patterns. On average, refugee households are larger than those in host communities (five persons compared to four), and are predominantly female-headed (58%), in contrast with host households where women lead 33% of households. This pattern is even more pronounced in the Northern region, where refugee households average 7 persons and women are responsible for about three out of four (74%) households.
The 2022 health survey shows that about half of women aged 15 to 49 were married or living with a partner, with a median age of 20 years at first marriage. The total fertility rate in refugee settlements approaches six children per woman. While knowledge of contraceptive methods is nearly universal, usage remains low, with a contraceptive prevalence rate of only 4% among all women.
Regional conflicts and climate disasters fuel displacement across Uganda
Source: Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2022, Uganda Bureau of Statistics Kampala, Uganda, November 2023.
Disclaimer: Map locations and boundaries are approximate and for illustrative purposes only. No official endorsement is implied.
Healthcare outcomes present a mixed picture of both achievements and ongoing concerns. The 2023-2024 Uganda National Household Survey Report shows that illness and injury affect refugees and host communities to a similar extent. Most refugees seek care when needed, primarily from government facilities, and levels of maternal care for refugees are high, resulting in a neonatal mortality rate of 12 deaths per 1,000 live births that aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets. However, significant challenges remain. The under-5 mortality rate of 45 deaths per 1,000 live births significantly exceeds the SDG target of 25, indicating that while newborn care is effective, child survival beyond the neonatal period requires urgent attention.
Likewise, educational prospects reveal a pattern of declining access as children age, with particularly stark disparities at the secondary level. The 2022 survey shows that while 64% of children aged 6 to 12 were enrolled in primary school, this number drops dramatically for secondary school. Only 7% of boys aged 13 to 18 attended secondary school, while for girls, the rate was just 4%. The most recent survey confirms this pattern, showing that host communities consistently outperformed refugees in net enrollment rates for secondary education in both the Northern and Southwestern regions.
Living conditions reflect both the positive effects of humanitarian assistance and persistent infrastructure challenges. While 91% of refugee households access improved water sources, exceeding the 85% rate in host communities and reaching 98% in the North, sanitation remains problematic. The 2022 health survey shows that only 40% of refugee households use improved toilet facilities compared to 52% of hosts, with access dropping to just 22% in the Southwest. Energy access also reveals patterns shaped by humanitarian interventions: while virtually all (98%) host households rely on traditional biomass for cooking, 68% of refugees use briquettes or pellets, particularly in the North, where 90% have adopted these cleaner alternatives, suggesting successful targeted interventions in some areas.
Economic challenges compound the difficulties faced by forcibly displaced populations, with significant disparities in both employment opportunities and earnings. Refugees have a substantially lower share of the working-age population—33% in the North and 45% in the Southwest compared to 64% and 70% among host communities, respectively. Most employed refugees work in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors, earning substantially less than their host community counterparts. Median monthly earnings for refugees range from UGX 76,000 in the North (approximately USD 21 at August 2025 exchange rates) to UGX 120,000 in the Southwest (USD 34), compared to UGX 296,000 (USD 83) and UGX 168,000 (USD 47) for host communities, respectively.
A. Shase, 13, washing her face at the water point in a refugee settlement
Credits: © UNHCR/Esther Ruth Mbabazi
In conclusion, Uganda’s open-door policy has provided immediate protection for millions fleeing conflict and instability across the region. While significant strides have been made in areas like maternal care and access to basic services such as drinking water, the challenges remain immense. High fertility rates, limited access to contraceptives, inadequate educational opportunities —especially for girls— combined with substandard housing and sanitation highlight the need for continued support and innovative approaches.
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