Uganda has long stood as one of Africa’s most open and compassionate hosts for refugees, a distinction that has gained renewed significance amid the devastating war in Sudan. Currently, the East African nation shelters over two million refugees – half of whom are from South Sudan and roughly 100,000 from Sudan itself. Many of these Sudanese refugees arrived after the eruption of conflict that tore apart Khartoum and Darfur, fleeing aerial bombardments, militia violence, and a collapsing economy. With Egypt shutting its borders and tightening visa requirements, Uganda emerged as one of the few accessible and welcoming destinations.

Yet, Uganda has not only offered these refugees safety – it has offered them the chance to live and rebuild. Through a unique combination of progressive asylum policies, economic inclusivity, and the resilience of Sudanese civil society, a remarkable transformation is taking place in Kampala and beyond. Refugees from Sudan are not just surviving; many are actively contributing to Uganda’s local economy, enriching its society, and creating a foundation for future collaboration between the two nations.

For many Sudanese, Uganda’s capital, Kampala, has become an epicenter of renewed activism and professional rebirth. During the rule of Sudan’s former regime, civil society organizations faced systematic repression. The government suspended the activities of NGOs, jailed outspoken activists, and accused them of conspiring with foreign powers. These measures forced dozens of Sudanese civil society actors into exile – and Kampala, with its relatively open civic environment, became their refuge.

In Uganda, registration processes for non-governmental organizations are straightforward, and the government has historically tolerated foreign-run projects. This administrative openness, coupled with Uganda’s established humanitarian infrastructure, made it possible for Sudanese........

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