Exploring the Willingness of Refugees in Uganda to Return to Their Native Countries When Peace Is Restored. a Case Study of Refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp.

Abstract

This study investigated on the willingness of the refugees to return to their native countries after peace returns with the reference to refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp. The study explained who a refugee is, why the refuges are influenced to stay in the host country; it examined the causes of refuge problem, the conditions of refugees in the host community as well as the effects of refugee problem to the host country. Majority of the refugees stay in the host countries and they do not show any willingness to return to their native countries even when the conditions are right for them to be there so it’s against this background that the researcher chose to study about the topic.

The research design that was used in the study was a qualitative Approach since it was suitable to obtain the past and present information of the refugees and the study population consisted of fifty respondents. The sources of data used included the primary and secondary sources such as interviews, questioners, focus group discussions, textbooks, articles and previously submitted reports related to the refuge problem at Uganda Martyrs University. There were also limitations such as lack of cooperation, language barriers, financial problem among others which were overcame through funding from the family, patience, being friendly to those who could help the researcher in terms of interpreting messages from the respondents.

Study findings indicated that causes of refugee problem includes political instabilities, natural disasters, death of care takers and home destruction. The refugees are influenced to stay in the host country due to the existence of peace, free services offered to them, good neighboring communities. The refugees also face challenges like discrimination, misrecognition, language barriers, and unfamiliar cultures making it hard for them to raise their children among others.

The study in its conclusion shows that although the refugees face challenges this does not give them the moral of going back to their home countries due to the little peace they get in the host country than their countries. The study recommends that the refugees should be empowered towards going back to their native home, solve problems at their home so as the displace population goes home, provision of resettlement areas, provide the refugees with access to information they need, to decide whether or not to return, need to ensure voluntary return among others.

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