How to apply for refugee status in Uganda

Uganda is Africa’s largest refugee host, providing refuge to over 1.5 million people. With the ongoing conflict in DR Congo, Sudan and South Sudan, Uganda continues to receive new arrivals. In January 6,063 individuals arrived in Uganda, according to UNHCR’s January 18, 2024, Refugee Influx Dashboard. Of these, 20% arrived from South Sudan, while 15% were from the DR Congo, 33% from Sudan and 32% from other nationalities.

Uganda has a recognized process through which one becomes a refugee. This article explains the process of refugee and asylum seeker registration in Uganda.

What is the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee?

Who is a refugee?

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.

Who is an asylum seeker?

When people flee their own country and seek sanctuary in another country, they apply for asylum (the right to be recognized as a refugee and receive legal protection and material assistance). An asylum seeker must demonstrate that his or her fear of persecution in his or her home country is well-founded. Not every asylum seeker will ultimately be recognized as a refugee, but every refugee is initially an asylum seeker.

Once an asylum claim is recognized by a host country then they can live in their host country as a refugee.

The process

The procedure for refugee status determination for asylum seekers in Uganda varies and is dependent on whether the asylum seeker is subject to prima facie refugee status and whether they are claiming asylum in the settlements or in Kampala.

Below is a step-by-step process for refugee registration in Uganda.

To get registered in a refugee settlement

The procedure for asylum seekers arriving directly in the refugee settlements is as follows:

Upon reaching the settlement, proceed to the reception center at the Office of the Prime Minister, for registration purposes. In Kyaka II, the reception center is located in Sweswe Zone.
Once at the reception center, the team will collect your essential bio data and gather information about any accompanying family members. Additionally, comprehensive health and security screenings will be done.
You will then undertake an interview facilitated by the registration officers. This interview serves to validate your identity and citizenship, ultimately determining your eligibility for asylum seeker status.
If the asylum seeker status interview is successful, you are issued with an asylum seeker certificate.
- This certificate allows you to access monthly food rations from UNHCR while you wait to confirm refugee status. This certificate is renewable every after 3 months.
You will attend a refugee status determination interview, conducted by a Sub-Committee of the Refugee Eligibility Committee (REC) in the settlement. The Settlement Commandant will communicate the dates for the interview.
If the interview is successful, you will receive refugee status.
When you receive refugee status, OPM will issue you a family attestation card and allocate a plot of land for you and your family. The family will then be provided with basic assistance including food, a ration card that entitles you to monthly food rations and non-food items like blankets, tarpaulin, poles, mosquito nets, buckets, and torches. Family attestation cards are renewable, and the date for review is indicated on the card.

At this point, refugees over the age of 16 should be issued with a refugee identity card, however, issuance of these cards is often delayed. Therefore, as you wait for your Refugee ID, you can always use the Attestation Form to access services.

Asylum application in Uganda.png

New arrivals in Kampala

Here is what you need to do if you're an asylum seeker in Kampala.

Report to the Refugee Desk Office at Plot 302 Sentema Road, Mengo, Kampala to register your intention of seeking asylum in Uganda. When you get there, you will fill out the 'Asylum Seeker Registration Information Sheet' with the help of the officers and interpreters. This form will ask for basic info about you and your family, and there's a space where you can explain why you had to leave your home country.

Make sure to attach a passport-sized photo of each family member to the form. After you've filled everything out, you'll get a small card bearing your number reference number. This number is important because it's connected to your application, therefore do not lose it.

The duration of this entire procedure varies, typically ranging from a single day to several weeks after the initial visit to the Refugee Desk Office in Mengo due to the long queues and large number of applicants.

Registration by the Office of the Prime Minister

Report to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) immediately after to secure an appointment for registration in the database. The reference card will be stamped at OPM; the date and time for the registration appointment will be indicated at the back of the card as well as in the appointment book at OPM.
On the scheduled date, report to OPM in Kampala with all your family members, including dependents for registration. Carry all the necessary requirements (passports, identity documents, school diplomas, e.t.c.).
Individuals who are 18 years and above will be registered separately.
The team at the OPM will go through your file and after they validate everything.
Each registered household will be issued with a temporary Asylum Seeker Attestation bearing the file and case number. The Asylum Seeker Attestation will be renewable after 3 months from the date of issue and thereafter every month until a decision on the asylum application is made by the Refugee Eligibility Committee (REC).

Refugee status determination

After registration at OPM, an appointment will be given for the eligibility interview for refugee status determination. This interview relates to why you fled your country and your fears of returning home. You may also be asked questions to confirm your identity and origins.
Thereafter, the applications for asylum will be determined by the REC.
Applicants may wait for 3 months or more before receiving a decision regarding their status from REC through OPM.
If the REC grants you refugee status, you will receive an official refugee identity card. However, issuance of these IDs is often delayed. Therefore, as you wait for your Refugee ID, you can always use the renewable card to access services.
Refugees and asylum seekers settling in Kampala are required to report to the Local Council of their area. This step ensures that they are officially recognized by the authorities.

Referral to settlement: Once an individual completes the registration process, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) may refer them to a specific refugee settlement. In such cases, the individual will receive a referral letter indicating the designated settlement.

Travel Arrangements: After receiving the referral letter, AIRD (African Initiatives for Relief and Development) will organize the necessary travel arrangements to facilitate the relocation to the specified settlement.

NOTE: South Sudanese, Sudanese and Congolese are not permitted to register in Kampala.

They are granted refugee status on prima-facie basis, hence they do not go through individual Refugee Status Determination process except for a few cases.

A prima facie determination means that an asylum seeker is given refugee status on the basis of their nationality and without having to go through an individual determination of whether they met the definition of a refugee under the law.

The limited number who go to the settlements directly or to the urban centers undergo the individual RSD process.

Procedure to follow in case you are denied refugee status and wish to appeal

If an applicant disagrees with the Refugee Eligibility Committee status decision, they may file an appeal with the Appeal’s Board. Please note that the board will only determine appeals on questions of law and procedure. This must be done within 30 days of receiving the REC’s notification letter. Delayed appeals require justification.

Asylum seekers who have been denied refugee status and wish to appeal the decision should:

Complete Form E and clearly explain the grounds for appeal.
Deliver the form to the Secretary of the Appeals Board, c/o OPM.
Expect to be notified of the appeal date within 14 days of filing the appeal. The appeal should be heard and determined within 60 days of filing.
Be aware that they may choose or be required to be present at the hearing to present their case in writing or orally and know that they may appoint an advocate or any other person at their own expense.
Expect a decision in writing within 14 days of the hearing.
Individuals may also choose to apply to the court for judicial review if they dispute the ruling of the Appeals Board.
UNHCR may be invited to make a presentation on behalf of the appellant.

Registration fraud

Misrepresenting facts about your background or family composition during an interview is a form of fraud and may prevent you from being assisted by UNHCR and OPM.

Any person who offers to register you in return for money or compensation is committing fraud and should be reported immediately to the police, OPM or UNHCR so they can take further action.

All UNHCR/OPM/ Partner services, registration, information and documentation are FREE OF CHARGE.

Frequently asked questions

How should a person seeking refugee status identify themselves?

A person seeking refugee status must properly identify themselves and provide their fingerprints and photographs to the refugee reception officer.

What if multiple family members are seeking refugee status?

Where members of the same family are seeking refugee status, each adult member of the family may lodge their own application for refugee status. However, a family seeking refugee status shall not be separated upon arrival in Uganda or after approaching a refugee reception center.

Can an unaccompanied child apply for refugee status?

Yes, an unaccompanied child may apply for refugee status in their own name. If a person applies as an accompanied child and there is a need to establish their actual age, a standing committee of the Eligibility Committee may investigate and determine the true age of the applicant.

How long does it take to receive asylum seeker status and refugee status?

Receiving asylum seeker or refugee status depends on the success of your interviews with the Refugee Eligibility Committee (REC). It takes between three to six months to receive refugee status.

What happens if I fail the interview?

If you fail the refugee or asylum seeker interviews, you can reapply and wait to retake the interviews to determine your status.

Can refugee status be denied/rejected?

Yes. Refugee status can be denied by the REC and when this happens, the applicant is given 90 days to exit the settlement or country.

Does a refugee have the right to return to their home country voluntarily? What is the process?

In Uganda a refugee has the right to leave and return to their home country, but they must notify the OPM and give up all their rights as a refugee, including the attestation card, refugee ID and allocated plot of land.

What are the required documents for application of refugee registration.

To make your identity and profile clearer, please carry any passports, photographs, identity documents, school diplomas, letters of support etc.

NOTE: Every member of your household under the age of 18 will be registered with you - all individuals above 18 will be registered separately.

An image of an Asylum Registration Card

Asylum card.png

An image showing an Asylum seeker certificate.

C) An image showing a Family Attestation Form

The Office of the Prime Minister is responsible for processing asylum applications, registration and documentation of refugees and asylum seekers.

For more information on how to process asylum application, contact the following offices.

Refugee Desk Office, Kampala

Plot 302 Sentema Road, Mengo, Kampala

Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)

Refugee Directorate

Located on the 4th floor, Office of the Prime Minister Building

Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road

P.O. Box 341. Kampala

0414230758 or 0414230768

refugeepartnership@opm.go.ug

NRC Kampala, Uganda

NRC Field Office – Plot 254, Sir Albert Cook Road Mengo, Kampala

Tel: +256788405902

Kabusu Access Centre – Block 16, Plot 46 Sitencia Road, Kabusu, Kampala.

Tel: +256783650414

Nsambya Access Centre – Blot 15, Plot 1372 Kirombe Road, Gogonya Bypass, Nsambya, Kampala

Tel: 256783650426

UNHCR Branch office Extension, Kampala

Plot 279