Legal access remains elusive for refugees in Uganda’s West Nile
As of mid-2025, Uganda hosts over 1.8 million refugees, mainly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with most settled in the West Nile sub-region. Despite Uganda’s progressive refugee laws, many refugees face difficulties understanding their rights due to limited access to legal information and services. The country’s justice system is strained, with shortages of police, state attorneys, and prosecutors, making legal access more difficult—especially for vulnerable groups like juveniles, many of whom are involved in sexual offense cases in areas like Yumbe District.
