The Refugee Influx and Security in Uganda: A Case Study of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement

ABSTRACT The study sought to assess the effect of refugee influx on security in Uganda at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. The objectives of the study were to; determine the effect of refugee influx on security in Uganda at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, establish the factors leading Refugees to become threats to security in Uganda at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement and to establish policy recommendations for addressing threats of Security in Uganda, Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. The research design was cross sectional and descriptive, whereby qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. The study population comprised of 58 respondents of which 50 was the sample size. Refugee impact much on security in Uganda at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement whereby 72% strongly agreed that Refugee flows are relatively more likely to cause conflict. 4% agreeing as well, while 8% respondents were recorded for not being sure, 4% disagreed and 10% strongly disagreed, on the effect of refugee influx on security in Uganda at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, the respondents reported that there are effects of refugee influx on security (mean=3.80). This means that attendants at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement are slightly conversant with Security activities but again at a small extent according to the study findings made, 60% of the respondents agreed that Refugees are the agents of civil wars, 14% agreed, 4% of the respondents were not sure, 16% disagreed and 6% strongly disagreed. The study respondents agreed that Refugees are the agents of civil wars (rnean=3.10). The is violation of human rights had 40% respondents who strongly agreed, 20% agreed, 10% were not sure, while 14% disagreed and 16% strongly disagreed. The respondents agreed that the is violation of human rights (mean=3.41). Relationship was tested and it was found that refugee Influx and Security have a significant positive relationship (r0.990). Thus, the hypothesis that stated that there is a significant relationship between Refugee Influx and Security is accepted. This means that Refugee Influx has an effect on Security at Kiryandongo refugee Settlement in Uganda. There have been inconsistencies in standards of humanitarian assistance provided had 58% of the respondents who strongly agreed, 30% agreed, 4% were not sure, 6% disagreed and 2% of the respondents strongly disagreed. The study concludes that Refugee flows are relatively more likely to cause conflict, Refugees are the agents of civil wars, there is violation of human rights, there is political instability and there are terrorist activities which can change public sentiments and refugees are becoming threats to security. The evaluations have revealed a strong vein of objection to both the treatment of refugees as a separate category and their separate identification amongst all actual and potential vulnerable groups had 54% of the respondents who strongly agreed, 18% agreed, 10% disagreed, 12% respondents were not sure and 6% strongly disagreed. The study recommends that there is need for Uganda to ensure that its refugee regime is grounded in fundamental human rights values and the government of Uganda should ensure that sufficient support is being provided to the Representative of the human rights organizations in order to significantly increase the number of countries incorporating the Guiding Principles into domestic law.