Uganda’s refugee-friendly policies: Uganda’s progressive approach to refugee self-reliance
Uganda is globally recognised as one of the most progressive refugee hosting nations. Uganda is home to more than 1.9 million refugees and asylum seekers (UNHCR, 2025), and its refugee policy stands out in a global context where many states maintain restrictive asylum systems. Unlike many host countries, Uganda grants refugees the right to work, move freely, and access public services, embedding self-reliance at the...
Xenophobic Vigilantism and the Struggle for Migrant Rights in South Africa
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has urged South Africa’s high courts to uphold international law in protecting migrants and refugees from discrimination and xenophobic violence, as vigilante groups like Operation Dudula continue to escalate tensions (ICJ, 2025). The group, whose name translates to "force out" in Zulu, claims to combat crime, unemployment, and strained public services allegedly caused by undocumented migrants. However, its actions ranging from...
Atlas of African Migration: Mapping Migration Patterns, Trends & Realities Across Africa
On May 7, 2025, the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa launched a one-of-a-kind project titled “The Atlas for African Migration”. The atlas provides comprehensive migration profiles of African countries. The project is realised through a rigorous desktop research process drawing from credible sources, including government reports, journal publications, and other online databases. The various data sources reveal patterns, trends, drivers, and correlations. The project is designed to provide the migration profiles of all the recognised 54...
Remembering the Sharpeville Massacre: Protecting the Rights of Child Migrants in South Africa
As we commemorate Human Rights Day in South Africa, we remember the tragic events of the Sharpeville massacre on March 21, 1960. On that day, police opened fire on a crowd of protesters, killing 249 people, including 29 children (Lodge, 2011). Today, we honor the memories of those child victims by reflecting on the progress of children's rights in South Africa, particularly for child migrants.
South Africa Ramps Up Border Security: New Measures to Reduce Irregular Immigration
The South African government has decided to improve border security by enhancing and integrating technological systems and adding more law enforcement officers to combat irregular migration and human trafficking and the government has introduced stricter enforcement policies, improved surveillance, and improved intelligence-sharing mechanisms. It is noted that about 672 Border Law Enforcement Officers have been added to high-risk entry points such as land crossings, maritime borders, and international airports
DR Congo's Displaced Families: Struggle & Uncertainty Post-M23 Takeover
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with a complex and prolonged crisis, with millions of families including children suffering from the impacts of armed conflict, hunger, and disease outbreaks. The recent escalation of tension between the DRC and Rwanda, due to continuous attacks by the M23 Rebel group fighting against the DRC government, has had devastating effects on the local population, particularly in the eastern region, raising global concerns. Thousands of...
