The Japanese government has donated over Shs9 billion to Uganda to promote women and youth empowerment, affecting women and youth in the five districts in refugee hosting areas.
This was announced by the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Sasayama Takuya, while signing a memorandum of understanding with the government of Uganda on Thursday, August 8th, 2024, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Amb. Takuya said that the project targeting to promote women, peace, and security of gender in refugee settlements and host communities will be implemented by UN women.
The UN women’s country representative in Uganda, Penina Kiwangu, highlighted that the agenda will not only be to enhance peacebuilding but also to address the immediate needs in these communities.
Lilian Aber, the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, emphasised how the grant will improve livelihoods in the refugee settlements.
“We want these funds to make sure that refugee women and young people, including women peace builders and women human rights defenders, have timely access and quality social and protection services. We also want to see these funds go into women and youth, so we have to make sure that we increase participation and benefit in gender responsive climate change mitigation and disaster deduction,” said Minister Aber.
Uganda currently offers home to nearly 1.7 million refugees and asylum-seekers. Most refugees come from South Sudan (57%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (32%), Somalia (3%), and Burundi (3%).
The biggest refugee camp in the country is Bidi Bidi settlement, found in Arua Regional Desk, Yumbe District.
