The Government of Uganda plans to begin implementation of the second Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project in October 2026. Parliament reports that the $328 million programme is expected to target about three million refugees and members of host communities.
Uganda hosts a large refugee population under a policy that permits access to land, services and economic activity. The approach has received international recognition, but it places substantial pressure on schools, health centres, water systems, roads, land and the natural environment in hosting districts.
DRDIP II is intended to treat displacement as a development challenge as well as a humanitarian issue. This means investing in shared infrastructure and livelihoods that benefit both refugees and Ugandan communities.
The size of the programme demands strong governance. Government should publish the financing structure, district allocations, project-selection criteria, procurement plans and implementation timetable.
Community participation will be important. Residents and refugees should help identify priorities and understand how projects are chosen. Transparent selection can reduce perceptions that one group is benefiting at the expense of another.
Water, education and health infrastructure are likely priorities in districts where population growth has outpaced existing services. Facilities should be designed for the total population they serve and supplied with staff, equipment and maintenance budgets.
Livelihood investment can reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance. Skills, agricultural support, finance and market access should be matched to local opportunities rather than offered as short training without follow-up.
Environmental safeguards are essential. Increased demand for fuelwood, water and agricultural land can degrade ecosystems. Reforestation, clean energy, water management and land restoration should be integrated into local development.
Women, young people and persons with disabilities face distinct barriers and should be included in programme design. Safety, transport, documentation and access to finance can determine whether they benefit.
Monitoring must go beyond counting meetings and construction. Government should track services delivered, income changes, infrastructure functionality, environmental outcomes and whether tensions decline.
The programme should coordinate with district development plans and other initiatives such as NUSAF. Parallel systems can duplicate spending and overwhelm local officials.
Procurement and contractor performance require scrutiny. Large programmes can lose value through inflated costs, poor workmanship or abandoned projects. Public disclosure and independent audits can deter these failures.
Uganda also needs sustained international support. Refugee protection is a shared responsibility, and host communities should not carry the cost alone. Predictable financing allows schools, hospitals and water systems to plan.
Implementation should begin with clear baselines. Without reliable information about current service levels and livelihoods, later claims of success will be difficult to verify.
DRDIP II can strengthen communities if it combines sound infrastructure, economic opportunity and environmental protection. Its success will be judged not by the announcement of $328 million, but by durable improvements visible in refugee-hosting districts.
Sources: Parliament of Uganda official news listing, “Govt to roll out $328m DRDIP II in October,” September 15, 2026; Office of the Prime Minister DRDIP II environmental and social assessment resources, https://opm.go.ug/wpfd_file/drdip-ii-p510476_esa-executive-summary_march14-2025/.
