The Uganda Cash Consortium (UCC), led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in partnership with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), has received an additional €4 million (Shs 16.4 billion)from the European Union (EU) to extend its cash-based support to vulnerable refugees and host communities across 13 settlements in Uganda.
This new funding brings the EU’s total contribution to the UCC to €17.2 million (Shs 70.8 billion)since the project began in 2023. The funds will enable the Consortium to continue providing multi-purpose cash transfers to help vulnerable individuals meet their basic needs and offer education cash assistance to children at risk of dropping out of school.
“The EU’s longstanding collaboration with the Uganda Cash Consortium and the Danish Refugee Council has proven highly effective in improving the lives of refugees,” said Bruno Rotival, who oversees the EU’s humanitarian programmes in Uganda.
“Cash assistance is efficient and transparent, and evidence shows that people often prefer it because it is more dignified, giving them autonomy and choice while also stimulating the local economy.”Rotival said.
In 2025, UCC aims to reach 36,394 individuals across 13 refugee settlements. Beneficiaries will receive monthly cash transfers for six months to cover essentials such as food, rent, and healthcare. The cash will be delivered digitally via mobile money or bank transfers.
Additionally, 15,565 children who are either out of school or at risk of dropping out will receive Cash for Education in Emergencies (EiE) support through Term 1 of 2026.
“Since 2023, support from the European Union has allowed us to reach 89,580 people with multi-purpose cash transfers and 28,625 children with education support. This renewed funding means more than meeting basic needs—it restores dignity, keeps children in school, and gives families a chance to rebuild their lives,” said Samuele Otim Rizzo, Country Director of the Danish Refugee Council in Uganda.
“In a time of increasing hardship, cash assistance remains one of the most effective and dignified ways to support communities.”Rizzo said.
Uganda continues to host more than 1.8 million refugees, with a high and growing demand for assistance. UCC’s ongoing work is made possible through close coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UNHCR, and a range of local and international stakeholders.
