Contributions of the International Community to Refugee Governance in Uganda

ABSTRACT 

This study assessed the contributions of the international community towards refugee governance in Uganda, with the objective of evaluating the impact of forced migration and refugee crisis on Uganda, and assessing the role of international organizations and the challenges they face. Owing to the nature of this study, it took on the international relations theory of Rational Choice Institutionalism (RCI). RCI is a theoretical model that explains institutions with a premise that different institutions actors use institutions to maximize their utility and decision making. Through the use of an exploratory design and by utilizing a sample of 125 participants; key informant interviews and focus group discussions, demographic characteristics and key themes were identified. This study revealed that refugees who are engaged in gainful employment can ultimately contribute to the national GDP, although the negative consequences such as increased economic burden and strain on the social services are still dominating the consequences. In addition, INGOs continuously engage in activities that empower refugees through helping them build efficient social, economic and cultural ties with the host government and community, despite the overwhelming number of refugees and their governance programs being bitterly underfunded. The study argues that although INGO’s, continue to offer commendable lifesaving protection, and advocacy, as well as livelihood support, more refugees are in need of gainful employment, capacity building and empowerment. This study concludes that funding aid cuts have severely affected most INGOs programs particularly those that deal in education, health water/sanitation, and shelter. The study recommends engagement of refugees and other migrants into viable selfreliance ventures and livelihood programs that will curb unemployment and lessen the burden on the INGO’s and the host county. There is need to fully protect all refugees regardless of their historical circumstances or background. This study appeals to the donor community to increase funding for refugees and adopt fair policies that aim at welcoming refugees and migrants to their countries, and lift a burden on some poor countries that are feeling a full weight of the refugee plight.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION...............................................................................................................................iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................... iv

LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................... x

ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................... xi

CHAPTER ONE............................................................................................................................. 1

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1

1.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of the Study .......................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective ............................................................................................................ 1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective.......................................................................................................... 4

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective.......................................................................................................... 6

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective........................................................................................................... 8

1.2 Statement of the Problem..................................................................................................... 9

1.3 Purpose of the Study .......................................................................................................... 10

1.4 Objectives of the Study...................................................................................................... 11

1.5 Research Questions............................................................................................................ 11

1.6.1 Geographical Scope........................................................................................................ 11

1.6.2 Content Scope ................................................................................................................ 11

1.6.3 Time scope ..................................................................................................................... 12

1.7 Operational Definition of Key Terms ............................................................................ 12

CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 13

LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................. 13

2.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 13

2.1 Theoretical Review ............................................................................................................. 13

2.2 Conceptual Framework .................................................................................................. 17

2.3 Review of Related Studies.................................................................................................. 17

2.3.1 The Concept of Refugee Governance........................................................................... 17

2.3.2 A review on the impact of forced migration and refugee crisis on the host country.... 19

2.3.3 A review of the role of International organizations in refugee governance ................. 21

2.3.4 A review on the assessment of the challenges of refugee governance......................... 25

2.4 Gaps in the Literature..................................................................................................... 28

CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 30

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................. 30

3.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 30

3.1 Study Area........................................................................................................................... 30

3.2 Research paradigm and design............................................................................................ 30

3.3 Study Population ................................................................................................................. 31

3.4 Sample size.......................................................................................................................... 31

3.5 Sampling Techniques.......................................................................................................... 31

3.6 Data collection methods...................................................................................................... 32

3.7 Data collection tools............................................................................................................ 33

3.8 Data Management and Analysis.......................................................................................... 33

3.9 Reliability and Validity of the Data Collection Tools ........................................................ 34

3.10 Procedure........................................................................................................................... 34

3.11 Ethical Considerations....................................................................................................... 34

3.12 Limitations of the Study.................................................................................................... 35

CHAPTER FOUR......................................................................................................................... 36

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION .......................................... 36

4.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 36

4.1 Participant’s profile information ......................................................................................... 36

4.2 Demographic Characteristics of the study participants....................................................... 36

4.3 Summary of Key Findings .................................................................................................. 37

4.3.1 An Evaluation of Forced Migration and Refugee Crisis on Uganda............................ 38

4.3.2 Assessment of the role of INGOs in forced migration and refugee governance.......... 43

4.3.3 Challenges to forced migration and refugee governance. ............................................ 47

CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................................... 52

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.................... 52

5.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 52

5.1 Discussions of findings. ...................................................................................................... 52

5.1.1 Discussions on forced migration and refugee crisis. .................................................... 52

5.1.2 Discussions on the role of INGOs in forced migration and refugee governance. ........ 53

5.1.3 Challenges to forced migration and refugee governance. ............................................ 54

5.2 Conclusions. ........................................................................................................................ 56

5.3 Recommendations. .............................................................................................................. 57

5.4 Areas for further studies...................................................................................................... 58

References..................................................................................................................................... 59

Appendices.................................................................................................................................... 63

Appendix 1: Key Informant Interview Guide ........................................................................... 63