Uganda, Africa’s leading refugee-hosting nation, is approaching a critical humanitarian tipping point. With nearly 2 million refugees now within its borders and more arriving daily the country’s education system is under immense strain.
Since January 2025, an average of 600 people have crossed into Uganda each day, fleeing violence and instability in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over half of these refugees are children, many arriving alone and desperate to continue their education.
Schools like Arnold Primary in northern Uganda are overwhelmed. Classrooms are packed far beyond capacity, with students sitting on verandas during exams due to lack of space.
“Even the class is too full,” said Bakos Sarah Taban, a South Sudanese refugee and teacher. “You cannot really supervise the learners.”
Volunteer teacher Abdalla Eis Mohamed, himself a refugee from Sudan, voiced concern for the youngest arrivals.
“They came without families… they need to be guided,” he said. “If they want to follow their education, let us help them. Maybe in the future, they’ll help our children and the world.”
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a stark warning: without urgent international support, refugee children face the risk of dropping out of school, malnutrition, and exposure to violence. Emergency funding is expected to run out by September, leaving thousands vulnerable.
Uganda’s refugee response is widely praised for its openness and generosity but the current crisis demands global attention and action.
