Arua, Uganda – A Growing Humanitarian Challenge
Arua City is grappling with a significant strain on its social services due to the increasing number of urban refugees, now recorded at 23,917, according to the latest National Housing and Population Census.
The growing refugee population has intensified pressure on healthcare, education, housing, and other essential services, raising concerns among local authorities and residents.
As a key urban center in West Nile, Arua has long been a destination for refugees fleeing conflicts in neighboring countries, particularly South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While Uganda maintains a progressive refugee policy that allows refugees to integrate into host communities, the rapid increase in urban refugee numbers is outpacing the city’s capacity to provide adequate services.
The surge in refugee numbers has placed unprecedented pressure on healthcare facilities in Arua City. Public hospitals and clinics are experiencing overcrowding, drug shortages, and limited medical personnel.
Dr. Samuel Ouma, a senior health officer in Arua, highlighted the challenges:
“Many of our health centers are now stretched beyond capacity. The influx of urban refugees has led to long queues, inadequate medicine, and overwhelmed healthcare workers. We are seeing an increase in preventable diseases due to poor living conditions among refugees.”
Health facilities such as Arua Regional Referral Hospital are struggling to accommodate both local residents and refugees, raising fears of a potential health crisis if urgent interventions are not made.
The education sector is another casualty of the refugee influx. Many schools in Arua City are facing overcrowded classrooms, shortages of learning materials, and insufficient teachers to handle the growing student popupopulation.l
Mr. James Drileba, a headteacher at a local primary school, expressed concern over the growing number of refugee children:
“Our classrooms are too full. Some schools are forced to accommodate over 100 students per class. We need more teachers and more infrastructure to cope with this demand.”
Some refugee children struggle with language barriers and curriculum differences, further complicating their integration into the Ugandan education system.
The increasing refugee population has also led to a housing crisis, with rental prices in Arua City skyrocketing due to high demand for accommodation. Many refugees who cannot afford proper housing resort to informal settlements, often lacking proper sanitation and clean water.
Landlords have taken advantage of the high demand, leading to rising rent prices that affect both refugees and low-income Ugandan residents. This has triggered tensions between host communities and refugee populations, as locals struggle to secure affordable housing.
Ms. Rose Ayikoru, a local trader in Arua, shared her frustrations:
“The cost of rent has doubled in the last two years. Landlords are increasing prices because they know refugees will pay, but this is making life difficult for us locals.”
Local authorities acknowledge the growing challenges and have called for urgent intervention from the government and humanitarian organizations.
Arua City Mayor, His Worship Sam Wadri Nyakua, stated:
“While we embrace refugees, our resources are overstretched. We need increased funding for health services, education, and housing to accommodate both refugees and our local communities.”
Organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Food Programme (WFP), and various NGOs have been providing support, but the demand continues to outstrip available resources.
Call for Government and International SuppSupport
With the urban refugee population expected to rise further, there are growing calls for:
🔹 Increased government funding for public services in Arua City.
🔹 More international support from humanitarian agencies to ease the burden.
🔹 Sustainable urban planning to accommodate the growing population.
🔹 Job creation initiatives to help refugees become self-reliant and contribute to the local economy.
The situation in Arua City highlights the complex challenges of urban refugee integration in Uganda. Without urgent intervention, the pressure on social services will continue to intensify, affecting both refugees and the host community.
As the city struggles to balance humanitarian needs with its limited resources, the question remains: How can Uganda sustain its refugee-friendly policies while ensuring that urban centers like Arua do not collapse under the pressure?
