Sovereignty Bill undermines responses to refugees’ welfare, West Nile leaders say

Refugee-hosting communities have raised concerns, warning that the newly proposed Protection Sovereignty Bill could frustrate humanitarian responses to the needs of refugees.

Leaders in the area say Uganda’s larger sections rely on external support, especially in matters related to the welfare of refugees. Uganda hosts about 1.9 million refugees, with the majority in the West Nile.

They say education, agriculture, and health among this group will be worsened when the Bill is enacted, fearing that support agencies, which heavily depend on external funding, risk ceasing operations.

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