Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has pledged the government’s support for refugee sports initiatives during a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr. Thomas Bach.
The meeting, held at State House in Entebbe on October 23, 2024, focused on the integration of refugees into sports activities, as part of efforts to enhance their well-being and foster social cohesion.
President Museveni underscored Uganda’s commitment to refugees, emphasizing that the country’s policy on refugee matters is rooted in long-standing principles.
He reiterated Uganda’s history of accommodating displaced people and stressed that sports could play a vital role in integrating refugees into local communities.
Museveni later tweeted, “Maama Janet and I welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, His Excellency, Filippo Grandi, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, His Excellency, Thomas Bach, along with their delegations to State House.”
In his statement, the President reflected on Uganda’s political evolution and its approach to refugee issues.
“The issue of refugees in Uganda is a matter of principle. From our student movement in the ’60s, which later metamorphosed into a political military movement, we were able to analyse the three-dimensional mistakes of philosophy, ideology, and strategy and reverse the situation in Uganda politically, but also reorient our politics from the politics of identity to the politics of interest,” Museveni wrote.
The President pointed out that this shift in political strategy allowed Uganda to achieve “zero exports of refugees” and contribute to regional stability.
Uganda is home to more than 1.5 million refugees, primarily from neighboring countries such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia.
The country has been praised for its progressive refugee policies, which allow refugees access to public services, land, and the right to work.
IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach, who was accompanied by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, is in Uganda to discuss the role of sports in refugee integration.
The IOC has been actively involved in supporting refugees through its Olympic Refuge Foundation, which works to provide sports opportunities to displaced individuals worldwide.
Dr. Bach praised Uganda for its hospitality and progressive approach to refugee management, adding that sports could be a powerful tool for social inclusion.
Uganda’s approach to refugee management stands out in the region, with the country serving as a model for how to handle large refugee populations while maintaining social harmony.
The meeting between President Museveni, Dr. Bach, and Filippo Grandi marks a significant step towards further enhancing the role of sports in refugee integration.
