By Ebi Kesiena
Uganda’s refugee camps are facing critical levels of overcrowding following a dramatic increase in arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday.
The surge, driven by escalating violence in eastern Congo, particularly around the Goma region, has seen over 41,000 people cross into Uganda since the beginning of 2025. According to UNHCR’s Country Representative, Matthew Crentsil, the majority of new arrivals over 80 percent are women and children, many of whom arrive in dire health conditions and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
“Uganda is already the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, sheltering nearly 1.8 million people displaced by regional conflicts,”.
“This additional influx is stretching already limited resources beyond capacity.” Crentsil stated
The Goma region, located just 70 kilometres from the Ugandan border, remains the epicentre of the violence. Renewed clashes between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese military have forced hundreds of thousands from their homes, with many fleeing into Uganda for safety.
The refugee camps, already strained by previous arrivals, have been forced to reduce essential services, including early childhood education and support for unaccompanied minors. With limited funding, authorities are now prioritising the prevention of disease outbreaks, especially as overcrowded conditions increase the risk of cholera and other communicable illnesses.
UNHCR has issued an urgent appeal for international support to scale up food supplies, health services, shelter, and protection systems. Crentsil emphasized, “Without increased donor funding, the humanitarian crisis in Uganda’s refugee settlements could spiral out of control.”
