A review of the legal framework of refugees in Uganda
Loading...
Date
2010-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University. School of Law
Abstract
The study reviewed the Legal Framework of Refugees in Uganda, and was
guided by three research questions: what legal procedures are adopted in
vetting refugees who enter Uganda? What rights as guaranteed by the
international instruments do the refugees enjoy while in Uganda? What roles
have the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and
Government played in facilitating the realization of refugees’ rights in Uganda?
Using a triangulation study design, and a Researcher Devised Documentary
Review Guide, the researcher studied 10 (out of the 30) years UNHCR’s Global
Reports. In relation to the research questions, the study revealed as follows.
First, to be determined for refugee status in Uganda, one has to qualify to be a
refugee by applying to the Refugee Eligibility Committee (REC) for refugee
status, properly identify himself or herself to the refugee reception officer,
furnish proof to the satisfaction of the REC that he/she is eligible to be granted
refugee status, be issued with a temporary pass valid for ninety days, after
which the Commissioner has to issue him/her an identification document
signifying his/her refugee status. Second, the study also found that while in
Uganda, refugees enjoy several rights which include: being issued with an
identity card and protection; being permitted to remain in Uganda; being
entitled to fair and just treatment without discrimination; receiving at least the
same treatment as is generally accorded to aliens under the Constitution and
any other law in force in Uganda; being accorded the same rights as the
nationals of Uganda; and getting the same protection as is accorded to the
nationals of Uganda in respect of the protection of intellectual property rights,
including industrial, inventions, patents, designs, trade names, copyrights and
other artistic and scientific works. Lastly, the study found that UNHCR and
Government of Uganda worked very closely as partners and complimented and
supplemented each other in helping refugees realize their rights by providing
support services and logistics in areas of legal assistance, education, crop
production, health and nutrition, settlements, shelter and other infrastructure,
and peaceful return (repatriation) of refugees. In order to adequately handle
the issues relating to refugees in Uganda, the researcher recommends that the
Government and UNHCR should: increase their inter-face and ensure effective
communication on all issues relating to refugees; jointly produce and circulate
the Refugees Act 2006 and the Refugees Regulation 2010 to the refugees as
well as the general public; and carry out nation-wide sensitization campaigns
about the rights and obligations of refugees, and the responsibilities and
obligations of the general public in assisting them.
Description
A Thesis Presented to the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research Kampala International University Kampala, Uganda In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Laws in Public International Law
Keywords
Legal framework, Refugees