KAMPALA | Uganda will next week unveil a landmark framework designed to track and strengthen the self-reliance of refugees and the communities that host them, marking a major step in the country’s evolving approach to humanitarian and development planning. The launch of the Uganda Self-Reliance Measurement Framework (SRI) is scheduled for November 27, 2025, at Protea Skyz Hotel in Naguru, and is expected to draw senior government officials, humanitarian agencies, development partners, and private-sector actors.
Announcing the event in Kampala, Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, described the forthcoming launch as a “significant milestone” in Uganda’s leadership on refugee protection and inclusive development. Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, and officials say that the pressure on both humanitarian resources and host communities has made it necessary to develop more sustainable, evidence-based approaches.
At the heart of the initiative is a shift toward understanding self-reliance not simply as an outcome but as a measure of dignity. Self-reliance, as defined in global frameworks, is the ability of individuals, households, or communities to meet their essential needs, from food and water to health, shelter, education and personal safety in a sustainable manner, without long-term dependence on external aid. It encompasses livelihoods, social protection, economic inclusion and resilience, and is seen as central to restoring agency among displaced populations.
The new framework, developed jointly by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the Office of the Prime Minister’s CRRF Secretariat and the World Food Programme, offers Uganda’s first standardized tool for assessing self-reliance among refugees and host communities. Officials say it will enable government and partners to track progress over time while improving transparency, programming, and resource allocation.
The SRI Framework emerges at a time when global refugee policy increasingly prioritizes resilience and empowerment. The Global Compact on Refugees, adopted in 2018, places self-reliance at the core of its approach, urging countries to shift from short-term humanitarian assistance toward long-term livelihood solutions. Uganda, already recognized internationally for its progressive refugee policies, considers self-reliance a central pillar of its Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). It also anchors major national strategies including the ReHoPE Framework, the Settlement Transformation Agenda, and the Jobs and Livelihoods Integrated Response Plan.
The development of the tool began in 2023, when a self-reliance reference group comprising government ministries, humanitarian partners, UN agencies and NGOs was formed to design minimum standard indicators for measuring progress at the household level. Chaired by the Ministry of Gender and the CRRF Secretariat, with the World Food Programme as co-chair, the group engaged in extensive consultations to build a unified framework capable of capturing the realities faced by both refugees and Ugandan families living in host districts.
The resulting Uganda Self-Reliance Index (UG-SRI) is designed primarily for refugee settlements and host communities, but its applicability goes beyond these groups. Officials note that the tool can be adapted for internally displaced persons, economic migrants and vulnerable Ugandan populations who experience similar socio-economic challenges. Its relevance is strongest in communities whose populations remain geographically stable, enabling consistent tracking of progress over time.
The tool assesses several key domains considered essential for sustainable livelihoods, including food security, nutrition, water and sanitation, shelter conditions, social cohesion, economic capacity, health and education. Policymakers believe that by measuring these indicators consistently, Uganda will gain a clearer picture of where progress is being made and where interventions need to be strengthened.
During the launch event, government and partners are expected to introduce the tool in full, including its structure, methodology and plans for national implementation. Officials say the framework will help Uganda institutionalize the measurement of self-reliance across multiple sectors, ensuring that agencies working in refugee-hosting districts use a uniform approach when designing or evaluating programs.
Hon. Mutuuzo urged all organizations involved in refugee response including government bodies, NGOs, development partners and community-based groups to participate in next week’s launch and embrace the tool’s rollout. She emphasized that accurate measurement is critical for improving outcomes, reducing dependency and advancing Uganda’s long-term vision of sustainable development for both refugees and citizens.
“As a country, we believe in empowering people to live with dignity,” she said. “This tool will help us understand where progress is happening and where more effort is needed, so that refugees and host communities alike can build stronger, more resilient futures.”
With the official launch now days away, Uganda continues to position itself as a leader in progressive, inclusive refugee policy, one that sees displaced families not as passive recipients of aid but as active contributors to national development.
