A Critical Analysis of the Threats Posed by Refugee Influx to the Host Community: A Case Study of Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Kamwenge District.

Abstract

KAZAHURA BERNARD (2014-M202-20002) A Critical Analysis of the Threats Posed by Refugee Influx to the Host Community: A Case Study of Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Kamwenge District. This study set out to analyse the threats posed by refugees‟ influx to the host communities in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Kamwenge District, Uganda and was guided by the 3 research objectives, namely: examining the actual threats posed by refugees influx on host communities; assessing the effects of threats posed by the refugees influx on host communities; and identifying possible solutions to the threats posed by the refugees influx on host communities. Particularly, the researcher employed an exploratory study design, in which qualitative– phenomenological approaches of data collection, analysis and presentation were used to examine the underlying threats from the social, political, and economic aspects. The results did indicate that the conflicting relationship between the host community and the refugees is attributed to a number of factors like scarcity of resources such as land and water. And that the host community was not prepared enough by government to welcome the refugees. More so, local people fear to stay with the refugees. They are already suspicious of the refugees and associate them with many negative practices of witch craft and cannibalism. And this in turn soils the relationship between the two communities. Furthermore, the findings showed that the influx of refugees did impact mainly negatively on the social services like health, education, housing and employment among the host communities. The study recommended that in order to address such threats, policy makers and other stakeholders working on the refugee problem should adopt and deploy new methods that can promote peace and economic development of the host communities, promoting social relationships, and empowering both the host communities and refugees. Key Words: Refugee Influx, Host Community, Kamwenge District