The ongoing conflict in Sudan follows decades of unrest, from the Darfur conflict and its civil wars to the secession of South Sudan in 2011, from military rule to failed political transitions and the rise of paramilitary groups. These overlapping crises have created a corridor of displacement, with millions fleeing across borders in search of safety. Uganda, located near these conflict zones, has become a key host country for refugees, absorbing people from Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and other countries simultaneously. The result is a humanitarian situation shaped not by a single crisis, but by a regional pattern of instability and displacement, where political resolution remains elusive and humanitarian needs continue to grow. In partnership with Global Conflict and Crisis Strategic Solutions (GC2S2), we gathered field-based insights into how this displacement unfolds on the ground.
Conflict in Sudan: Background and Recent Developments
The current crisis in Sudan began in April 2023, when a power struggle over the country’s political transition escalated into open conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
After the ousting of long-time president Omar al-Bashir in April 2019, a transitional agreement was reached between the Transitional Military Council—which took power after al-Bashir’s fall—and a coalition of civilian opposition groups, primarily the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC). The agreement led to the formation of a joint civilian-military Sovereign Council, tasked with overseeing a transition to democratic elections over a planned three-year period. However, the process has been fragile and repeatedly delayed. Power struggles between different factions within the military—especially between the SAF and the RSF—intensified over time. Disagreements over the timeline for handing over power to civilians, and how to integrate the RSF into the regular army, eventually triggered the 2023 conflict.
But what exactly are the RSF? Their origins trace back to the Janjaweed militias—Arab armed groups used by the government during the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s to suppress rebel movements and control the local population. They were accused of carrying out mass killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement targeting non-Arab ethnic groups, as part of a brutal counter-insurgency campaign. The government rebranded and reorganized these militias into the RSF in 2013 to give them a more official role in internal security operations. Over time, the RSF grew in size and influence, operating under the direct command of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”), and became involved in border control, counter-insurgency, and later, regional conflicts such as the war in Yemen. Despite efforts from the Sovereign Council to integrate the paramilitary groups into regular structures, the RSF remained largely outside the traditional military hierarchy, creating lasting tension with the SAF, the Sudanese regular troops.
As of April 2025, the SAF has reclaimed significant portions of the Sudanese territory, including Khartoum and Omdurman. However, Sudan’s civil war persists, with the RSF maintaining control over much of the Darfur region, even laying siege on the strategic city of el-Fasher. Recent RSF assaults on displacement camps in Darfur have resulted in substantial civilian casualties and continue to drive more people from their homes each day.
Routes of Displacement: Sudanese Refugees in Uganda
We partnered with Global Conflict and Crisis Strategic Solutions (GC2S2) to gain a clearer understanding of the situation on the ground. A development-focused organization, their field team working in refugee camps along Uganda’s northern border shared valuable insights on refugee movements, camp conditions, and local challenges—highlighting the humanitarian impact of Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Uganda functions as a host country rather than a transit point for refugees. Surrounded by active conflict zones in Sudan, South Sudan, and the DRC, Uganda has become a primary destination for those fleeing violence. The country is among the top refugee-hosting nations globally, and its open-door policy has enabled large-scale displacement management despite limited resources. Most refugees remain in Uganda long-term, with limited prospects for repatriation or further migration. The protracted nature of regional conflicts has necessitated semi-permanent infrastructure and continued humanitarian assistance.
Sudanese refugees are typically arriving in northern Uganda, primarily through border points in the West Nile sub-region. While official checkpoints exist, enforcement remains minimal, allowing many to cross with relative ease. Refugees often rely on informal networks or previous contacts within the camps to navigate the route and identify entry points.
Life in the Settlements: Camp Management, Infrastructure and Living Conditions
Upon arrival, they undergo a registration process coordinated by the Ugandan authorities in partnership with humanitarian agencies. Refugees are then assigned to specific zones and villages within the designated settlements. These camps are segmented into administrative zones, each with several villages, and are overseen by camp commandants appointed by the Ugandan government. The two main settlements for Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees are Rhino and Imvepi camps, which together host thousands of individuals.
Settlement management is decentralized but follows a structured hierarchy. Each camp has a commandant and deputy, supported by a small administrative staff. While camp leadership is Ugandan, international organizations and NGOs provide many essential services, such as education, sanitation, and health. These services are implemented through partnerships between the Office of the Prime Minister (responsible for refugee affairs), UN agencies, and NGOs such as GC2S2. NGOs must first receive authorization from the relevant authorities before implementing projects, and are required to consult with both camp leadership and local councils to assess needs and determine priorities. Project implementation often involves multiple coordination meetings, which can delay progress.
Despite this help, living conditions in the settlements remain basic, especially due to the number of displaced persons. Refugees are provided with tents or must build makeshift shelters using local materials such as clay and straw. While the latter are commonly used in rural Uganda, they are vulnerable to fire and weather-related risks. Access to food is heavily reliant on humanitarian assistance, primarily from the UN World Food Programme (WFP). Most settlements lack comprehensive infrastructure, and new villages must establish water sources, latrines, and hygiene facilities from scratch. Education and healthcare access are unevenly distributed across zones, and services are often located far from the majority of residents.
Humanitarian Challenges: Addressing Global, Local, and Security Dynamics
Alongside budgetary and international challenges, humanitarian workers have to deal with local context, with the public attitudes in Uganda toward refugees varying. In general, communities further from refugee settlements express fewer concerns. However, in villages located near the camps, some residents report frustration due to perceived inequalities in aid distribution: local populations often face the same challenges as refugees—such as food insecurity, limited water access, and unemployment—but receive fewer external resources. This dynamic has led to tension in certain areas, particularly where competition over land and water is acute. Nonetheless, Uganda’s legal and policy frameworks remain among the most refugee-supportive in the region.
Security dynamics pose significant challenges to humanitarian operations in northern Uganda’s refugee settlements. While large-scale violence is rare, it does occur, as evidenced by the recent RSF raids on refugee camps in Darfur and their targeting of humanitarian medical staff. Field workers thus face security risks, exacerbated by operations in remote areas with poor infrastructure and limited emergency response capacity. However, low-level security incidents—such as petty theft and resource-driven tensions—are persistent. Competition over limited water, food, and land sometimes sparks disputes within and between refugee and host communities.
Ethical dilemmas can arise in high-stress environments, particularly when responding to vulnerable populations affected by trauma, and emotional fatigue among staff remains a recurring issue. These pressures complicate aid delivery and require continuous risk and psychological management.
Toward Durable Solutions: Long-Term Needs and NGO Contributions
Addressing immediate needs—water, food, sanitation—remains essential. However, sustainable solutions are increasingly prioritized by both humanitarian actors and the Ugandan government.
GC2S2 is tackling these issues by focusing on sanitation and hygiene infrastructures, aiming to improve living conditions and reduce health risks in newly established refugee settlements. Working in Rhino and Imvepi camps, their team is working on long-term solutions: deep bore wells expected to last 10–20 years and septic-based latrines that can be emptied rather than rebuilt. This approach aims to reduce the cost and inefficiencies of short-term projects.
Skills training and local capacity-building efforts are also under development. For example, sewing workshops have been launched in some villages to support community self-reliance. Expanding such programs to all zones remains a logistical and financial challenge. To scale these initiatives, NGOs emphasize the need for consistent funding and technical expertise in sectors like agriculture, water management, and construction. Without these, both refugees and host communities will remain heavily dependent on external aid.
We thank GC2S2 for their from-the-ground insights on the situation of Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda. Please, visit their website: GC2S2.org