Universal Principle of Non-Refoulement on the Refugee’s Access to Public Services in Uganda

Abstract

This study investigates the Universal Principle of Non-Refoulement on the refugee’s access to Public Services in Uganda. While non-refoulement traditionally prohibits the forced return of refugees to countries where they face danger, its interpretation is increasingly expanding to encompass broader rights, including access to essential services such as health care, education, and social protection. Drawing on a mixed-methods research design, the study employed structured questionnaires, open-ended responses, and key informant interviews with stakeholders including NGO representatives, UNHCR officials, and religious leaders. Quantitative findings reveal a strong positive correlation (r = 0.716, p < 0.05) between the implementation of non-refoulement and access to public services, with 72% of the variation in service access explained by non-refoulement practices. Descriptive statistics indicate high agreement among refugees regarding equitable access to health and education services. Qualitative data contextualize these findings, highlighting both Uganda’s progressive refugee policies such as the Settlement Transformative Agenda and challenges like limited resources and systemic constraints. The study concludes that while Uganda demonstrates a commendable commitment to refugee protection, reinforcing institutional coordination, legal awareness, and sustainable funding mechanisms is critical to translating non-refoulement’s normative ideals into practical outcomes. These findings contribute to the global discourse on refugee rights by linking international legal obligations to domestic service delivery realities.