Ugandan authorities and the UNHCR issued a warning to Burundian refugees in Kampala and Lusaka on August 5, 2026, advising them to prepare for their return. This directive, delivered from Kampala and Lusaka, signals a significant shift in policy, urging preparedness for repatriation. This comes ahead of the announced end of their refugee status, which is scheduled for the first half of 2028. The development signals an impending shift in the status of Burundian refugees residing in Uganda and Zambia, putting pressure on thousands to consider their future. The warning emphasizes that refugees must ready themselves for this transition, as the deadline for the cessation of their protected status draws nearer.
Camp Conditions and Repatriation Efforts
In the past two weeks, at least four meetings were organized almost simultaneously in Uganda's Nakivale camp and Zambia's Meheba camp. These concurrent meetings show the coordinated effort by authorities and humanitarian organizations to address the situation across different locations. The Meheba camp currently hosts over 30,000 refugees, among whom approximately 5,000 are Burundian nationals. This significant population notes the scale of the challenge in managing their potential return. A repatriation convoy from Nakivale crossed Tanzania before entering Burundi from the northeast. The direct route through Rwanda was not possible due to closed borders between Rwanda and Burundi, necessitating this alternative and longer path for the returnees. This logistical challenge further illustrates the complexities involved in facilitating these repatriations.
Official Stance and Refugee Concerns
The stated objective of recent meetings held in refugee camps was to raise awareness among Burundian refugees regarding voluntary return to Burundi. Officials emphasized the importance of informed decision-making for those considering repatriation. Refugees, however, are demanding urgent intervention from the UNHCR, human rights organizations, diplomatic missions, and the international community. They emphasize the need to ensure that all returns to Burundi are strictly voluntary, safe, and dignified. This call for external oversight reflects deep-seated concerns about the conditions awaiting them in Burundi and the potential for forced returns. The principle of non-refoulement is a key concern for refugees, as it prohibits the return of any person to a country where they face a risk of persecution or serious human rights violations. This international legal standard underpins the refugees' call for guaranteed safety and dignity in any repatriation process, noting their fear that these fundamental rights might not be upheld. They seek assurance that their safety and human rights will be protected upon their return.
Calls for Voluntary and Safe Returns
Over 170 Burundian refugees were repatriated from Uganda's Nakivale camp last weekend, as pressure for returns continues to mount. This recent movement of individuals shows the ongoing process of repatriation. The Nakivale camp currently hosts more than 150,000 refugees, with Burundian nationals accounting for over 33,000 of them. This substantial number of Burundian refugees in Nakivale indicates the vast scope of the repatriation efforts required. Burundian authorities have been conducting displacement operations in Uganda over the past five years, aimed at encouraging their nationals to return to Burundi. These sustained efforts by the Burundian government have been a consistent factor in the lives of these refugees, contributing to the ongoing pressure for their return. The refugees' appeals to international bodies reflect a desire for an independent assessment of conditions in Burundi and a guarantee that their decision to return will be genuinely voluntary, free from coercion.