Livelihoods strategies of urban refugees in Kampala.

Some 15000 refugees – escapees from wars in Sudan Rwanda Burundi the Democratic Republic of Congo Eritrea Ethiopia and Somalia – live in the Ugandan capital Kampala without UNHCR assistance. Rejecting residence in rural camps they have chosen an environment in which they can use their skills to achieve self-sufficiency and dignity. Most of the urban refugees are either single men or single mothers with children. The majority of them have come to Kampala directly from their country of origin without having entered a refugee camp. Others may have spent considerable time in refugee camps. Both groups are drawn to Kampala by: opportunities to trade and use their skills to offer services to better-off city residents; the presence of hospitals and private medical services; accommodation schooling and vocational training; internet access to maintain contacts with relatives transfer money and explore business opportunities recreational and intellectual activities; opportunities for concealment from both the Ugandan authorities and from intelligence agents from their countries of origin who are known to monitor those who officially register their presence. (excerpt)