The Refugee Rights Action Organization (RRAO) alerts the national and international public to the serious and concerning deterioration in the level of protection afforded to Burundian asylum seekers in Uganda, following a recent accelerated refugee status determination process conducted in Kampala.
In an official declaration by this refugee rights organization, signed by Libérat NDAYISHIMIYE, Executive Director, the organization reports that between November and December 2025, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of Uganda, with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), carried out an accelerated procedure targeting asylum seekers of various nationalities, including Burundian nationals.
Figures reflecting a worrying reversal
A comparative analysis of decisions rendered shows a radical and alarming change in the handling of Burundian asylum seekers’ cases.
■ October – December 2023: out of 512 Burundian asylum seekers,
▪︎ 452 individuals (88.28%) were recognized as refugees;
▪︎ 51 individuals (9.96%) were rejected;
▪︎ 9 cases (1.76%) were referred for additional review.
■ November – December 2025: out of 202 Burundian asylum seekers interviewed,
▪︎ 164 individuals (76.23%) were rejected;
▪︎ only 48 individuals (23.76%) were accepted.
This almost complete reversal of previous trends represents a major departure from prior practices and raises serious concerns regarding compliance with fundamental principles of international protection.
Libérat NDAYISHIMIYE | Executive Director, RRAO
A climate of fear and legal insecurity
This development has created a climate of fear, uncertainty, and legal insecurity among Burundian asylum seekers living in Uganda. It threatens to seriously compromise their right to effective protection, as guaranteed by regional and international refugee protection standards.
A persistently concerning human rights situation in Burundi
The RRAO emphasizes that this situation cannot be interpreted as a sign of lasting improvement in human rights in Burundi, as long as Burundian and international human rights organizations, including the Ligue Iteka, FOCODE, and King Umurundi Freedom, continue to document ongoing and concerning violations.
Call to Ugandan authorities and international partners
In light of this situation, the Refugee Rights Action Organization (RRAO) calls on:
● Ugandan authorities to strictly uphold national, regional, and international standards regarding the protection of refugees and asylum seekers;
● to ensure fair, individual, impartial, and transparent procedures for refugee status determination;
● to maintain Uganda’s tradition as an African model for refugee reception and protection;
● international partners and protection mechanisms to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action.