This morning, a ceremony was held for the handover of a market built 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 Member of Parliament Emmanuel Okware, AICS representatives, as well as stakeholders and partners.
Uganda currently hosts nearly 2,000,000 refugees from neighbouring 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, there are still tensions between refugee and host communities related to the use of available natural resources. The scarcity of firewood and water, for example, is a reason of conflict between the refugees and the local population in the villages near the camps. Measures promoting cohesion among the resident populations are necessary.
The construction of the market, which began in February, is a concrete example of this integrative approach. Located near the Magburu refugee camp, the market will be used by both the refugees and the Ugandan resident population. The structure also includes an area for waste collection and recycling and latrines, benefiting about 2,000 people.
“This market is a tangible sign of our commitment to supporting the integration of refugees and host communities, improving living conditions for everyone. The collaboration between AICS and Africa Mission – Cooperation and Development Onlus demonstrates that together we can create opportunities and promote social cohesion,” said Giovanni Grandi, head of the AICS office in Nairobi.
