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9 Transnat'l Hum. Rts. Rev. 1 (2022)

handle is hein.journals/tranhurrv9 and id is 1 raw text is: EXPLORING THE MULTIPLE PARADOXES AND CHALLENGES OF UGANDA'S REFUGEE LAW, POLICIES AND PRACTICE J. OLOKA-ONYANGO* Abstract Uganda has garnered considerable international praise for its 'open-door' policies on refugees. This is particularly the case against the backdrop of a global context of the growing phenomenon of states constructing physical and metaphorical walls against the phenomenon of migration, whether forced or voluntary. Nevertheless, such praise conceals a much more complex context of opportunistic strategizing, donor politics and regional geopolitical balancing. In sum, what is lauded as 'progressive' is much more problematic and nuanced, especially with respect to the issue of local integration (particularly for long-term refugees), voluntary repatriation and the management and funding of refugee support. I. INTRODUCTION Uganda occupies a prominent position in contemporary debates on forced migration. In a 2018/2019 Global Appeal to humanitarian actors, major donors and the international community, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) made the following assertion: The Government of Uganda has maintained open borders and has one of the most progressive refugee policies in Africa, promoting self-reliance of refugees and peaceful co-existence with host communities. However, it needs urgent and large- scale support to respond to this critical situation.1 The statement encompasses several important elements, the most critical being the considerable praise heaped on the Government of Uganda (GoU). Underlying this statement are significant paradoxes or challenges, and even some silences. However, my concern in this paper is with * Professional Affiliation: School of Law, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. 'UNHCR, Global Appeal, 2018-2019, Geneva at 66 online: <https://www.unhcr.or2/publications/fundraising/5a0c05027/unhcr- lobal-appeal- 2018-2019-full-report.html>. 1