The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has urged the public to promote peace, unity and stability as a way of reducing the growing number of refugees in the country.
In his Easter message delivered at his residence in Namirembe, Kaziimba said Uganda is currently hosting more than two million refugees from neighbouring countries such as Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.
He said many of the refugees have fled both internal and cross-border conflicts in their home countries.
Kaziimba warned that ongoing conflicts continue to displace millions of people, creating large populations of vulnerable groups, including orphans, widows and refugees. [WATCH VIDEO]
“Conflicts and wars not only devastate the nations directly involved but also have far-reaching economic and social consequences across the world,” he said.
He noted that Uganda’s role in hosting refugees reflects its long-standing commitment to offering sanctuary to people fleeing instability in the region.
The archbishop cited conditions at Nakivale Refugee Settlement, which he recently visited, describing the situation as alarming. He said more than 300,000 refugees there are struggling to earn a living.
Kaziimba also linked global tensions, including those involving Iran, the United States and Israel, to rising fuel prices, which he said are affecting Uganda’s economy.
He called on governments, institutions and individuals to prioritise peacebuilding efforts in order to restore human dignity and reduce forced displacement.
