The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR announced on Tuesday new measures to support the government of Uganda’s refugee programme, including through major biometric data verification exercise.
The refugee programme in this country is of critical importance, given the scale of the emergency and the role model played by Uganda in welcoming and receiving so many people seeking international protection, said UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, George Okoth-Obbo.
‘On 1 March, in support of the Ugandan government, we together with our partners are launching a massive biometric verification exercise of all refugees in Uganda. This nation-wide re-enrolment and verification process will be key to help the government in fixing discrepancies in refugee data,’ added Okoth-Obbo.
UNHCR has already deployed staff, with partner emergency teams, to start the exercise. In total, more than 400 staff will register refugees.
‘At UNHCR, we have zero tolerance for misconduct, abuse and exploitation. Every possible report or allegation is thoroughly assessed,’ stressed Okoth-Obbo.
UNHCR is also strengthening its monitoring and oversight to prevent a reoccurrence of the events, including the deployment of more senior staff to help put in place additional safeguards.
These new measures are being implemented as the current Representative is reaching the end of his term and a more senior replacement is about to arrive.
Uganda provides protection to well over one million refugees, keeping an open-door policy for people fleeing conflict and persecution.