Despite the country’s open-door policy towards refugees and asylum seekers, on 25 March authorities announced measures to suspend the reception of new refugees and asylum seekers for thirty days. Transit and reception centres were ordered to close immediately, while flights in and out of the country have been suspended and borders sealed. Refugees who are already in the country will continue to receive support.
Handwashing and temperature screening facilities have been put in place at points of entry as well as transit centres and reception centres.
- The New Humanitarian, “In the News: Uganda Suspends Refugee Arrivals as Coronavirus Cases Soar,” 25 March 2020, www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2020/03/25/uganda-coronavirus-refugees-asylum-seekers
- InfoMigrants, “Uganda Closes Borders to Refugees,” 27 March 2020, www.infomigrants.net/en/post/23705/uganda-closes-borders-to-refugees
- Africa News, “Coronavirus – Africa (UNHCR): Staying and Delivering for Refugees Amid Covid-19 Crisis,” 6 April 2020, www.africanews.com/2020/04/06/coronavirus-africa-unhcr-staying-and-delivering-for-refugees-amid-covid-19-crisis/
- Global Detention Project, Immigration Detention in Uganda, www.globaldetentionproject.org/countries/africa/uganda
