The government plans to prioritise education, healthcare, water and livelihoods for refugees as Cabinet also approves Uganda’s participation in a global biodiversity conference and a new UDC board appointment.
Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to work with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to redirect funding under the World Bank’s refugee financing window towards urgent humanitarian needs.
The funds are expected to address gaps in education, healthcare, water supply, livelihoods and other essential services for refugees across Uganda.
Minister of ICT and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba announced the decisions while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, saying Cabinet had considered funding shortfalls affecting the country’s refugee response.
“Cabinet considered the funding gaps affecting humanitarian support for refugees in Uganda. Cabinet directed the ministry responsible for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, under the Office of the Prime Minister, to work with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to redirect funds under the World Bank Refugee window to the most urgent needs,” Lumumba said.
She added that the funding would help bridge gaps in essential services for refugee communities.
“The funds will help address gaps in education, health, water, livelihoods and any other essential services,” she said.
In another decision, Cabinet approved Uganda’s participation in the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), scheduled for October 19–30, 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia. The dates and venue are confirmed by the Convention’s official conference information.
Lumumba said Uganda’s participation would focus on mobilising resources to implement the Convention and advancing national priorities in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The conference will bring together governments and other stakeholders to review progress towards implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets international targets for protecting and restoring nature.
Cabinet also approved the appointment of Jennifer Naomi Ariyunget to the Board of Directors of the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) for a three-year term.
“Cabinet approved the appointment of Ms Jennifer Naomi Ariyunget to the Board of Directors of the Uganda Development Corporation for a term of three years from the date of appointment. Her appointment brings the number of board members to eight,” Lumumba said.
UDC operates under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and is mandated to promote investment, industrial development and value addition.
The corporation works with the private sector to support production and advance the government’s industrialisation agenda.
Lumumba said Ariyunget’s background in law and banking was expected to contribute to the corporation’s work.
The three decisions cover refugee support, biodiversity conservation and industrial development, areas in which the government says it is seeking to address funding needs and strengthen implementation of its priorities.