The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has formally acknowledged Church of Uganda’s outstanding humanitarian support to refugees in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, located in Isingiro District, Ankole Diocese.
In a letter signed by the UNHCR Representative in Uganda, Matthew Crentsil, extended appreciation to the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, for the Church’s timely and generous response during the emergency influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Your efforts have strengthened our response during a time of limited resources. Partnerships like yours are essential to our work, and we truly value your continued support and solidarity,” the letter read in part.
The letter highlighted the Church’s contribution of clothes, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, and a medical camp that provided general consultations, screenings, and testing. The letter was handed over today during the ACT Alliance partners’ meeting by Roger Hollo, the Head of the UNHCR Sub-Office in Mbarara, to Balaam Muheebwa, the Provincial Treasurer of Church of Uganda.
Muheebwa welcomed the recognition and reiterated the Church’s commitment to responding to the needs of the vulnerable. “Church of Uganda follows the mission of Jesus Christ; to preach, to heal, to treat, and to feed the hungry. This appeal is part of our Gospel witness in action, and we remain committed to serving those in need.” Muheebwa said.
In May 2025, Church of Uganda flagged off a consignment of relief items to Nakivale in response to an emergency appeal issued by the Provincial Secretary, Rev. Canon William Ongeng. The effort was supported by Dioceses across the country, mission partners, and the Anglican Relief Development Fund (ARDF).
Among the items delivered were bathing and washing soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads, women’s undergarments, baby diapers, petroleum jelly, buckets, slippers, kitenge fabrics, clothing, and tarpaulins which were given to women led households and persons with special needs.
According to Josephine Ninsiima, Church of Uganda’s Programme Officer for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response, the consignment was intended to restore dignity to those displaced by conflict and crisis in Nakivaale Refugee Settlement.
Partners under the ACT Alliance Appeal for Refugees from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are currently in Mbarara for a benchmarking visit to Nakivale Refugee Settlement, aimed at learning best practices in Uganda’s management of the regional refugee crisis. Partners from Uganda include; FCA UgANDA, LWF Uganda, HEKS/EPER (Swiss Church Aid), and Church of Uganda. From Tanzania, the partner is Tanganyika Christian Refugee Services (TCRS). From Kenya, the partner is the ACT Alliance Regional Office. From the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the partners include Christian Aid (CA), Bureau Œcuménique d’Appui au Développement (BOAD), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo (EELCO), and Église du Christ au Congo (ECC).
Irene Anena, the ACT Alliance Coordinator in Uganda, noted that the week-long visit will feature intervention areas from all participating partners. Church of Uganda, a member of the Alliance, is actively providing psychosocial support, promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and the host community, gender-based violence prevention and response and provision of urgent humanitarian support to the refugee community.
