Japan gives Uganda US$6 million for refugee response efforts

8 May 2026, 10:14 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, Sasayama Takuya, has confirmed Japan’s continued support towards various sectors in Uganda.

Speaking during a joint press conference that brought together various United Nations (UN) agencies and government representatives at the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Kampala, Ambassador Takuya announced that Japan has contributed approximately US$6 million to support refugee response efforts in Uganda.

He also confirmed Japan’s representation at the forthcoming presidential swearing-in ceremony scheduled to take place at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds next week.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Leonard Zulu, highlighted the significance of the contribution.

“On behalf of the United Nations family in Uganda, I am honoured to acknowledge the generous contribution from the Government of Japan in support of refugee response efforts in Uganda. Japan’s supplementary budget allocations have consistently supported the work of the United Nations in Uganda over the years. The US$5.97 million contribution is both timely and critical. It will strengthen assistance for refugees and the communities hosting them. Uganda continues to host about two million refugees and is experiencing a remarkable influx driven by conflicts in the region. The support is helping ensure that Uganda has sustained capacity to address the needs of those arriving,” he explained.

Zulu further noted that Japan remains an important partner to the Government of Uganda, the United Nations, and the African continent since the launch of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in 1993.

According to Zulu, the new contribution from Japan will strengthen the response efforts of three UN agencies namely the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Organization for Migration, and the World Food Programme.

He explained that UNHCR activities will strengthen protection and assistance for new asylum-seeker arrivals, targeting up to 160,000 individuals.

Additionally, IOM will establish two community-managed solar energy hubs, one in a refugee settlement and another in a host community in Yumbe District, to provide clean and reliable energy for cold storage, milling, irrigation, digital access, and other productive services.

Similarly, the allocation will enable WFP to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to newly arrived refugees in Uganda.

On behalf of the Government of Uganda, Assistant Commissioner for Refugees, Douglas Asiimwe, appreciated the support from the people of Japan and pledged that the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda will continue working closely with the UN family for the betterment of the people.

Representatives from all the three UN agencies also attended the press conference and expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for the continued support.