The United Kingdom has pledged £2 million in funding to support refugees and host communities in Uganda, specifically targeting the Kyangwali and Kyaka II settlements located in Kikuube and Kyegegwa districts. This initiative marks the first collaboration between the UK government and the AVSI Foundation, a recognized leader in humanitarian and development work.
The funding will enhance the existing SMILES project, which aims to promote economic self-reliance among refugees and host communities through vocational training, livelihoods development, and access to agricultural inputs. This initiative aligns with Uganda’s commitment made at the Global Refugee Forum to bolster resilience and self-sufficiency among refugees while also supporting local populations.
By partnering with AVSI, the UK government aims to create sustainable and transformative changes for refugees and vulnerable communities. The project will provide select refugee households with essential skills and resources, enhancing their economic stability and independence.
Additionally, the initiative will engage the private sector to generate job opportunities and support markets for products produced by refugees and local residents.
British High Commissioner H.E. Lisa Chesney MBE expressed the UK’s commitment to empowering refugees, stating, “Through this new partnership with AVSI Foundation, the UK is committed to empowering refugees and host communities in Uganda to build secure, sustainable livelihoods for economic independence. By investing in skills and resilience, we’re helping families move towards self-reliance.”
Innocent Cwinyai, Programme Manager at AVSI Foundation, highlighted the urgency of the project, noting, “The Graduating to Economic Resilience Project comes at a time when refugees are exiting general food assistance, making it timely to accelerate self-reliance and resilience while reducing dependence on hand-outs.”
