Complaints from Sudanese refugee women in Uganda’s camps are rising due to extremely challenging humanitarian conditions and recurring sexual assaults, amid a lack of security and protection expected from the Ugandan government.
Fatima Mohamed – a pseudonym – shared with Sudan Tribune the bitterness of refuge, insecurity, and lack of protection, citing frequent incidents of assault by individuals from Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia.
She highlighted the absence of sanitary pads, essential for Sudanese refugee women’s monthly needs, along with a severe lack of primary healthcare services for pregnant women within the camp.
Refugee authorities and the Ugandan government have been urged to enhance camp security, improve living conditions, and provide essential life services.
Stopping Education
Sudanese refugee Israa Hassan Hamza emphasized instances of Sudanese students in schools being harassed by students from other countries, prompting many families to withdraw their children from education.
She told Sudan Tribune, “Several miscarriages occurred due to lack of primary healthcare.”
She continued, “There was a miscarriage due to clashes between Ugandan police and Sudanese refugees in recent weeks, where police used violence against refugees, causing one refugee to miscarry.”
She pointed out a real problem facing pregnant refugees regarding the absence of Sudanese female doctors or midwives, compounded by issues such as female genital mutilation, and the unavailability of vitamins in hospitals, where doctors ask refugees to buy these pills despite their financial constraints.
Sudanese refugee Hawa Mohamed Nur Eldin discussed their struggles with the lack of job opportunities for both women and men within the camp, leading them to seek alternative employment to increase their income.
Dr. Adeeb Abdul Rahman, Director of “People for People” organization, mentioned the opening of the multi-purpose Hope Community Center in Kiryandongo Camp to enhance refugee income and create new job opportunities.
He informed Sudan Tribune that the center operates in increasing productivity and innovation through training 50 refugees, including 30 new Sudanese refugee women, 10 long-term camp residents, and 10 Ugandan women, in making liquid soap and Vaseline to boost their income.
He affirmed the organization’s efforts to launch a therapeutic camp clinic with specialists to treat Sudanese refugees within the camp in the coming days.
He explained that the center also works on conflict resolution, mental health, cultural and social activities, alongside an arts project for peace, emphasizing that the center is a partnership between the organization and the camp community.