This morning, a ceremony was held to hand over a market constructed near the Magburu refugee camp, as part of an emergency initiative funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Africa Mission – Cooperation and Development Onlus (C&S). The event was attended by local authorities, including Parliament representative Emmanuel Okware, AICS representatives, and other stakeholders and partners.
Uganda currently hosts nearly 2,000,000 refugees from neighboring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whose inhabitants have been forced to flee due to recent conflicts and tensions. Although Uganda’s reception system is recognized as one of the most inclusive in the world, tensions remain between refugee and host communities related to the use of available natural resources. The scarcity of firewood and water resources is a source of conflict between refugees and the local population in villages near the camps. Therefore, measures are needed to promote cohesion between the resident populations.
The construction of the market, which began in February, represents a concrete example of this integrative approach. Located near the Magburu refugee camp, the market will be used by both refugees and the Ugandan resident population. The facility also includes a waste collection and recycling area and latrines, benefiting approximately 2,000 people.
“This market is a tangible sign of our commitment to supporting the integration between refugees and host communities, improving living conditions for all. The collaboration between AICS and Africa Mission – Cooperation and Development Onlus shows that together we can create opportunities and promote social cohesion,” stated Giovanni Grandi, head of the AICS office in Nairobi.
