Uganda Turns to China as U.S. Funding Cuts Deepen Refugee Crisis
Uganda is seeking increased support from China to manage its growing refugee burden, as reductions in aid from the United States strain humanitarian operations.
Officials say funding gaps have begun to impact essential services for refugees, including food distribution, healthcare, and shelter, raising concerns about worsening living conditions in camps across the country.
Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, accommodating people fleeing conflicts in neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The shift toward China reflects Kampala’s effort to diversify its funding sources and maintain support for refugee programmes amid declining Western assistance.
Analysts note that China’s growing involvement could reshape humanitarian partnerships in the region, even as aid agencies warn that sustained international support remains critical to preventing a deeper crisis.
