President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for a major change in how Uganda supports refugees, shifting from short-term aid to long-term farming solutions. During a meeting with officials from the World Food Programme (WFP) at State House in Entebbe, the President stressed the need for better land use and organized farming to help refugees become self-reliant.

Uganda is home to over 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it one of the top refugee-hosting countries in the world. Most come from neighboring countries like South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi, fleeing conflict and instability. While Uganda has welcomed them with open arms, President Museveni believes it is time to move beyond emergency aid and focus on sustainable solutions.

“Uganda has always welcomed our displaced brothers and sisters, but we must now move beyond emergency response,” the President said. He pointed out that the current setup of refugee settlements is inefficient, with large areas of land taken up by scattered shelters, leaving little room for farming or other economic activities.

To solve this, President Museveni proposed reorganizing refugee settlements into more compact, planned communities. This would free up land for large-scale farming, allowing refugees to grow their own food and even produce surplus crops for sale. “If we adopted a more structured approach similar to building small campuses or villages, we could maximize land use, promote food production, and even generate surplus for sale,” he explained.

He gave the example of Nakivale Refugee Settlement in southwestern Uganda, which covers 71 square miles. With proper planning and investment, he said, this land could be turned into productive farmland that benefits both refugees and the local communities hosting them. “The land is there. What we need is better planning and infrastructure. This way, refugees can grow their own food, become economically active, and reduce their reliance on aid,” he added.

President Museveni also highlighted Uganda’s Pan-African approach to hosting refugees, seeing them as part of the broader regional community rather than outsiders. “These people are not foreigners in the real sense. Many of them share ethnic and cultural ties with Ugandans. Our borders were artificially drawn by colonialists. So, when they come here, we treat them as our own,” he said.

The WFP officials welcomed the President’s ideas and pledged to support Uganda’s efforts to make refugees more self-sufficient. Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the WFP, praised Uganda’s agricultural potential and its leadership in refugee policies. “The land here is very large and fertile. As WFP, we are confident in your proposal to create agricultural opportunities in these areas,” she said.

She also commended Uganda for its open-door policy towards refugees, calling it a model for other countries. “We are impressed with how Uganda has boldly handled refugee resettlement,” McCain said. “Many people come here seeking safety, and your government has opened its doors. It is a testament to your commitment to humanity and regional stability.”

McCain assured that the WFP would continue working with Uganda to implement programs that empower refugees rather than keeping them dependent on aid. “The message we are taking back to both large and small donors is that Uganda is working to make these communities more self-reliant and self-sustaining,” she added.

Marcus Prior, the WFP Country Director in Uganda, also praised the collaboration between his organization and the Ugandan government, particularly the Office of the Prime Minister. He highlighted the efficiency of WFP’s operations in Uganda despite limited resources. “We have worked on innovative solutions to make our operations more efficient and ensure that we continue to use our resources wisely. The team here in Uganda is doing exceptionally well,” he said.

Prior also expressed gratitude for Uganda’s generous refugee policies, which allow displaced people to work, move freely, and access land. “We commend you for giving the refugees a chance to rebuild their lives. WFP will continue to explore every sustainable angle to ensure they survive with dignity and our support,” he said.

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking WFP officials, including Ms. Rukia Yacoub, the Deputy Regional Director, and Ms. Meghan Latcovich, the Chief of Staff. Their presence underscored the importance of Uganda’s refugee programs and the strong partnership between the government and international organizations.

As Uganda moves forward with its plans to integrate farming into refugee support, the focus remains on creating long-term solutions that benefit both refugees and host communities. By shifting from aid dependency to self-reliance, Uganda hopes to set an example for other nations facing similar challenges. With fertile land and a commitment to innovation, the country is well-positioned to turn this vision into reality.

The discussions between President Museveni and WFP officials mark a significant step towards sustainable refugee support. If successful, the proposed farming initiatives could transform the lives of millions, proving that with the right approach, refugees can thrive rather than just survive. Uganda’s bold and compassionate policies continue to inspire the world, showing that even in the face of crisis, there is always room for hope and progress.