By: Olivier BAKOMEZI,
Director of the Refugees Parliamentarians for Peace-RPP
and Chairman of the Congolese Urban Refugee Community.
Date: 02 May 2026
Abstract
Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations globally and is widely recognized for its progressive refugee protection policies. However, social perceptions of refugees can shift during politically sensitive periods such as national elections. This article examines how Congolese refugees are perceived by Ugandan host communities during pre-electoral, electoral, and post-electoral periods. In particular, refugees are sometimes portrayed as supporters or influencing political outcomes in favor of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Although refugees are not entitled to vote in Uganda, these perceptions contribute to stigmatization and social tensions. Using qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions with refugees and host community members, this study explores how such perceptions shape refugees’ everyday experiences, including insecurity, discrimination in housing, and social exclusion. The findings highlight how political narratives circulating during election cycles can negatively affect refugee-host relations and undermine the realization of refugee rights. The article concludes by recommending stronger community dialogue initiatives, improved public awareness of refugee rights, and policies aimed at preventing discrimination in housing and local service access.
Keywords: refugees, Uganda, Congolese refugees, elections, political stigmatization, housing rights, host communities
Introduction
Uganda is widely regarded as a global leader in refugee protection due to its progressive legal framework, which grants refugees freedom of movement, access to land, and opportunities for socio-economic participation. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Uganda hosts more than 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While this policy environment has facilitated relative stability and integration, relations between refugees and host communities remain shaped by broader political and social dynamics.
National election periods represent moments of heightened political mobilization and social polarization. During such periods, narratives about citizenship, political loyalty, and national identity often intensify. In this context, refugee populations may become the subject of speculation regarding their perceived political affiliations or their alleged influence on domestic political processes.
In Uganda, Congolese refugees have occasionally been perceived as politically aligned with particular actors or movements. Some narratives circulating within host communities portray refugees either as sympathizers of groups or as individuals indirectly supporting the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Although refugees lack voting rights in Uganda, these perceptions can nonetheless shape everyday interactions and contribute to forms of discrimination.
This article examines how such perceptions emerge and evolve during pre-electoral, electoral, and post-electoral periods. It further explores how political stigmatization influences the daily lives of Congolese refugees, particularly regarding security concerns, access to housing, and broader social integration.
Literature Review
Scholarly research on refugee host relations has increasingly emphasized the role of social perceptions and political narratives in shaping intergroup dynamics. Research in migration and refugee studies suggests that minority populations are often subject to suspicion during politically volatile periods (Betts et al., 2017). Election cycles, in particular, can intensify debates around belonging, citizenship, and political loyalty.
The concept of political stigmatization provides a useful framework for understanding these dynamics. Political stigmatization occurs when groups are socially labeled or stereotyped based on perceived political affiliations or ideological positions. Such stigmatization may not reflect actual behavior but rather the circulation of rumors or symbolic narratives.
In refugee contexts, political stigmatization can intersect with existing vulnerabilities, leading to discrimination in housing, employment, and social participation. Previous research in East Africa has shown that refugees may experience exclusion not only due to their legal status but also due to fears that they could destabilize local political environments.
At the same time, Uganda’s refugee governance model emphasizes coexistence between refugees and host communities. Understanding how political narratives influence these relationships is therefore crucial for sustaining peaceful integration.
Methodology
This study employs a qualitative research design to explore perceptions and lived experiences within refugee-hosting communities.
Data were collected through:
- Semi-structured interviews with 80 Congolese refugees residing in urban and peri-urban areas.
- Interviews with 25 members of Ugandan host communities, including local residents, landlords, and community leaders.
- Focus group discussions with representatives of civil society organizations working in refugee protection.
Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure representation of different social perspectives. Data collection took place over an 12-month period covering pre-electoral mobilization, the electoral period, and the months following the election.
Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, allowing patterns of perception, discrimination, and social interaction to emerge.
Findings
Political Narratives and Perceptions
The findings indicate that election cycles significantly shape how some members of host communities perceive Congolese refugees. Although refugees do not participate in Uganda’s electoral process, rumors and informal narratives sometimes portray them as politically aligned with specific actors.
Some respondents suggested that refugees could indirectly influence political outcomes through associations with political groups or through perceived support for national leadership. These narratives, often amplified through informal conversations and social media, contribute to an atmosphere of suspicion.
Importantly, many refugees reported being aware and victims of these perceptions despite having no direct involvement in Ugandan politics.
Security Concerns and Social Tensions
During election periods, refugees frequently reported feeling less secure in their communities. Some described incidents of verbal accusations, harassment or increased scrutiny from neighbors who questioned their political affiliations.
These experiences prompted many refugees to limit their participation in public gatherings or community discussions during politically sensitive moments. The result is a form of self-imposed social withdrawal intended to avoid confrontation or misunderstanding.
Such dynamics weaken social cohesion and reduce opportunities for positive interaction between refugees and host community members.
Housing Discrimination
Access to housing emerged as one of the most significant areas where political perceptions had tangible consequences. Several refugees reported that landlords occasionally refused to rent properties to Congolese tenants during election periods and others are evicted illegally.
Landlords sometimes expressed concerns that hosting refugees could attract political scrutiny or create tension with other residents. In some cases, refugees were asked to leave rental accommodations earlier than expected due to perceived political risks.
These practices represent a violation of basic housing rights and contribute to housing insecurity among refugee populations.
Social and Economic Marginalization
Political stigmatization also affects refugees’ economic and social participation. Some refugees reported difficulties maintaining customer relationships or operating small businesses during politically tense periods.
Host community members may distance themselves from refugees to avoid potential political controversy. This distancing contributes to economic vulnerability and reinforces social isolation.
Discussion
The findings demonstrate that political narratives surrounding elections can significantly influence social relations between refugees and host communities. Although Congolese refugees have no formal political role in Uganda’s electoral system, they may nonetheless become symbolic actors within local political discourse.
This phenomenon reflects broader patterns observed in migration studies, where minority groups are sometimes framed as external influences on national politics. In Uganda’s case, such narratives can undermine otherwise positive refugee-host relations. It reflects also xenophobic way against refugees.
Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions aimed at promoting accurate information about refugee rights and legal status. Public education initiatives, community dialogue programs, and collaboration between local authorities and civil society organizations could help counter misinformation and reduce stigma.
Conclusion
Congolese refugees in Uganda experience shifting social perceptions during pre-electoral, electoral, and post-electoral periods. In some cases, they are portrayed as politically aligned actors despite lacking participation in the electoral process.
These perceptions contribute to insecurity, discrimination in housing, and broader social exclusion. Strengthening refugee protection therefore requires not only legal frameworks but also proactive measures to address social narratives that emerge during politically sensitive periods.
Promoting dialogue, protecting housing rights, and reinforcing public awareness of refugee status are essential steps toward sustaining peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities.
References.
Betts, A., Chaara, I., Omata, N., & Sterck, O. (2017). Refugee economies in Uganda: What difference does the self-reliance model make? Oxford: Refugee Studies Centre.
Easton-Calabria, E., & Omata, N. (2018). Panacea for the refugee crisis? Rethinking the promotion of “self-reliance” for refugees. Third World Quarterly.
Jacobsen, K. (2005). The economic life of refugees. Bloomfield: Kumarian Press.
UNHCR. (2023). Uganda refugee response plan and statistical report.