EU Invests €5M in Refugee Livelihoods and Food Security in Uganda Settlements

In a crucial step toward enhancing self-reliance and resilience among displaced populations, the European Union (EU) has contributed EUR 5 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Uganda. This funding aims to support income-generating activities and bolster food and nutrition security for both refugees and host communities, particularly in Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements.

Uganda’s Leading Role in Refugee Protection

Uganda remains Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country, currently home to 1.9 million refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and other neighboring states. The country is lauded for its progressive refugee policy, which grants refugees the right to work, own property, and move freely within its borders.

However, despite this enabling environment, economic opportunities within refugee settlements remain scarce. Many refugees and members of the surrounding host communities struggle to find sustainable income sources. Humanitarian and development assistance, therefore, remains critical to ensuring a pathway toward recovery and dignity.

“Empowering refugees in Uganda to become self-reliant has never been more important,” said Genevieve Chicoine, WFP’s Acting Country Director in Uganda. “This vital contribution from the European Union will enable WFP to support thousands of refugees and host communities with the skills they need to earn a living and put food on the table.”

From Aid to Opportunity: Skills, Sustainability, and Nutrition

The EU-funded initiative will directly benefit 12,600 refugees and 5,400 host community members in the Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements. This comprehensive support goes beyond food aid—it delivers skills-based training and empowerment.

Key components of the programme include:

• Training in Regenerative Agriculture: Helping communities grow food sustainably while restoring degraded land and building climate resilience.

• Financial Literacy and Business Skills: Providing the knowledge to manage income, start small businesses, and reinvest in community enterprises.

• Targeted Nutrition Support: Focused assistance for pregnant and breastfeeding women, improving maternal and child health outcomes.

“This partnership reflects a shift from delivering aid to delivering opportunity,” said Guillaume Chartrain, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to Uganda. “Refugees and host communities are gaining the tools they need to shape their own futures. By investing in people’s skills and potential, we are supporting more stable, self-reliant communities—and that benefits everyone.”

A Strategic Pillar of the EU’s Broader Regional Engagement

This initiative forms part of the European Union’s Action for Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions for Displaced Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa (EUPADS). The EUPADS programme emphasizes a holistic approach to displacement, combining humanitarian support with long-term development and policy alignment. It aims to address the root causes of displacement, support local integration, and reduce dependency on external aid.

Uganda is a priority country for the EU’s regional displacement strategy, and this latest investment aligns with the government's Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), which integrates refugee assistance into national development plans.

Urgency Amidst Funding Shortfalls

The EU’s contribution comes at a time when WFP’s operations in Uganda face severe funding constraints. In May 2025, the agency was forced to halt food assistance for nearly one million refugees and reduce rations to an unprecedented low of 22 percent for others due to a lack of donor support.

The funding gap has jeopardized the health, safety, and dignity of countless refugee families. This EU support helps to fill a critical void, enabling WFP to focus resources on building longer-term solutions and lessening the reliance on emergency food assistance.

Building Self-Reliance, Restoring Hope

This new initiative underscores the EU’s and WFP’s shared commitment to durable solutions and inclusive development. By investing in people’s skills, health, and economic resilience, the programme is not just alleviating immediate hunger—it is creating the conditions for long-term recovery and self-determination.

In a region where conflict, displacement, and climate challenges are ever-present, such investments represent a lifeline for stability and peace. As the global displacement crisis continues to evolve, transformational partnerships like this one between the EU, WFP, and the Government of Uganda offer a powerful model for shared progress.