EALA urges Partner States to integrate refugee management in national development plans

East African Legislative Assembly; Arusha, Tanzania: December 20, 2018: The regional Assembly is emphatic that Partner States must undertake a deliberate and conscious effort to address the root causes of conflicts in the region. In the same vein, mainstreaming the needs of refugee women, children and youth in national and regional development plans should be prioritized as well as the advocacy for equitable resource distribution as envisaged under the United Nations’ Global Compact Initiatives for refuge management.

In view of the implementation of the Common Market Protocol, the Assembly is further of the view that East Africans who want to settle anywhere in the region for economic reasons should now be able to freely do so. The Assembly late yesterday adopted the report of the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution on the Oversight activity to the Refugee hosting districts of Uganda, an activity which was undertaken on November 11-16^th, 2018.   The objectives of the activity included experiencing first hand, the devastating impacts of the conflicts and natural calamities within and around East Africa on the people as well as on interacting with the local and international stakeholders to exchange views relevant to the management of refugee insurgence in the region.

The Committee chaired by Hon Victor Burikukiye among other places visited the refugee settlements in Kiryandongo and Isingiro Districts respectively.  For the purpose, the Committee divided itself in to two, with one sub-committee visiting Nakivale Refugee Settlement and another heading to the Kiryandondo Refugee settlement before reconvening together to review the status. The Committee also interacted with the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon Dr Rukahana Rugunda and the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Minister of State for Relief, Disaster, Preparedness and Refugees, Hon Musa Ecweru among others. Presenting the report to the House yesterday, Hon Burikukiye informed the House of a sharp increase in the numbers of refugees within the region.  He tabled statistics showing increase of refugees in Uganda from 430,000 in the year 2015 to 1,445,464 in April 2018 according to data availed by the Refugee Information Management System (RIMS).  He remarked the EAC was today home to more than 26% of the world’s refugee population therefore making it necessary for displaced persons and communities to enjoy access to basic services such as food, shelter, healthcare, education and sanitation.

At debate time, Hon Dr Oburu Oginga lauded Uganda’s model of keeping refugees in settlement schemes rather than restricted camps. He remarked that East Africans have a right to go and settle in any country and that in future, the matter of influx of refugees shall be addressed.  Hon Abdikadir Aden also lauded Uganda’s commitment and resolve to enhance the dignify the lives of those who sought refugee status. He maintained that EAC region needs to borrow from the United Republic of Tanzania which has no case of known refugees in the region.  “We now need urgently, a policy on how to address the plight of refugees in the region”, he said. Hon Oda Gasinzigwa said the elements of refugee management especially that dealing with voluntary repatriation needs to be enhanced. “We see throughout the report, the issue of prevention is covered.  Let us also assess and analyse the critical issue of repatriation”, Hon Gasinzigwa said.

Hon Kasamba Mathias commended the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution for the oversight activity and called for address on the issues that lead to refugees. “I commend the Government and the people of the Republic of Uganda for taking it upon themselves to make a home for refugees”, Hon Kasamba remarked.  The Member called for capacity building of women to empower them to make a difference and bridge the gap of the refugees in meeting the scarcity of food and make conducive and stable environment back home to enable the return of refugees.

Hon Adam Kimbisa lauded H.E. President Yoweri Museveni for his decision to allow the country to take in refugees.  “If the leadership fails to take in refugees, then it becomes impossible for a nation to support refugees”, he stated.  Hon Kimbisa attributed the refugee issues largely to manmade issues.  He said donor fatigue on the refugees’ sector was now a major challenge and that it was time to manage the politics of nations to reduce the refugees’ problem.

Others who supported the report were Hon Fancy Nkuhi, Hon Francoise Umuwukiza, Hon Gideon Thoar, Hon Dr Francois Kalinda, Hon Dr Gabriel Alaak, Hon Dr Ngwaru Maghembe and Hon Rose Akol. Hon Jean Claude Barimuyabo, Hon Dr Woda Jeremiah Odok and Hon Dr Abdullah Makame also supported the report. 

Consequently, the Assembly has taken cognizance of the fact that all Partner States have now ratified the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security, with Hon Isabelle Ndahayo, Minister for EAC confirming that Republic of Burundi, the last Partner State which hitherto had not ratified the Protocol, has now done so.

Accordingly, the Council of Ministers is expected in a recommendation by the Assembly to report back to EALA at the end of 2019.

-Ends-

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