Koboko, Uganda – March 2025Local leaders in Arua and Koboko districts have intensified their calls for more support to address the growing burden of refugee settlement in the region.
A recent survey conducted by the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities in 2023, and documented in the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics report, revealed that Koboko Municipality alone hosts approximately 24,936 self-settled refugees. This number accounts for 33.6 percent of the municipality's total population, significantly straining social services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Koboko, located in the West Nile region of Uganda, has seen a continuous influx of refugees, particularly from neighboring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Unlike those living in designated refugee settlements, self-settled refugees often integrate directly into local communities, increasing the demand for essential services.
"The high number of refugees in Koboko has placed immense pressure on our already limited resources," said Koboko Municipality Mayor, highlighting the struggles faced by the health and education sectors. "Our schools are overcrowded, healthcare facilities are overstretched, and there is a growing need for sustainable support from both the government and international agencies."
One of the most affected areas is education, with local schools struggling to accommodate both the refugee children and the host community.
Schools in Koboko and Arua are experiencing a surge in enrollment, often exceeding their capacity.
A headteacher at one of the primary schools in Koboko noted that the student-teacher ratio has significantly increased, leading to compromised quality of education.
"We have schools where a single teacher handles over 100 pupils per class, making it difficult to provide quality learning.
More classrooms, teachers, and learning materials are urgently needed."
The healthcare system in Koboko and Arua is also under immense strain. Health facilities are grappling with increased patient numbers, a shortage of essential medicines, and limited medical personnel.
"Many refugees require urgent medical care, and while we try our best, we lack enough medical staff and supplies to adequately serve both the refugees and local population," said a doctor at Koboko General Hospital.
The influx of refugees has also led to outbreaks of preventable diseases due to inadequate sanitation facilities and water shortages in some areas.
In response to these challenges, leaders in Arua and Koboko are calling on the Ugandan government and international development partners to increase financial and logistical support to improve service delivery. They have proposed various interventions, including:
Koboko Municipality Mayor further emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, stating, "Refugees have become part of our communities, and we must find sustainable ways to support them while also ensuring that our local citizens do not feel neglected."
The Ugandan government, through the Office of the Prime Minister and other refugee response agencies, has acknowledged the concerns raised by West Nile leaders.
A government spokesperson assured that plans are underway to boost support for refugee-hosting areas, including the allocation of additional funding for health and education sectors.
"We recognize the burden that host districts such as Koboko and Arua are facing. The government, in partnership with international donors, is working to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to improve service delivery and infrastructure," the spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations operating in the region have also pledged to scale up their interventions, with some committing to supporting education and vocational training programs for both refugees and local youths.
As the refugee population in Uganda continues to rise, leaders in Arua and Koboko remain hopeful that increased attention and support will ease the burden on their communities and create a more sustainable environment for both refugees and host residents.
