China has pledged USD 1 million (about Shs 3.8 billion) to Uganda’s refugee response, marking Beijing’s first direct humanitarian contribution aimed at supporting new arrivals in one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries. The funding will be channelled through the Office of the Prime Minister and implemented by Finn Church Aid under the China-funded Humanitarian Assistance Grant Project (CHAP). It will focus on Nakivale and Kyangwali refugee settlements in south-western Uganda, areas that continue to receive people fleeing instability in the region. The project was officially launched in Kampala on April 22 by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who described it as both urgent relief and a sign of strengthening ties between Kampala and Beijing. “Today, I launched the Humanitarian Assistance Grant Project together with fellow ministers and partners. The project, supported by the Chinese government, will address immediate humanitarian needs while laying a firm foundation for long-term resilience,” Nabbanja said. Her remarks placed the initiative in a broader diplomatic context. “It reflects the growing and mutually beneficial partnership between Uganda and the People’s Republic of China, grounded in shared values of solidarity, cooperation, and a common commitment to addressing global humanitarian needs,” she added. Uganda’s refugee system has long been praised internationally for allowing displaced people to work, access public services and live among host communities rather than in closed camps. But that openness comes with growing pressure on resources, infrastructure and emergency services. According to figures published by the Office of the Prime Minister, Uganda was hosting 1,961,518 refugees and asylum seekers as of October 31, 2025. That included 1,921,017 refugees and 40,501 asylum seekers, most of them from neighbouring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Against that backdrop, the Chinese grant arrives at a critical moment. Nabbanja praised what she called timely support from Beijing. “I commend the Government of the People’s Republic of China for this support, which further strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our nations,” she said. Officials say the CHAP project goes beyond emergency handouts. It is designed to combine immediate assistance with longer-term resilience measures, particularly for vulnerable families arriving after traumatic displacement. “The project adopts an integrated approach with a strong focus on psychosocial support, community engagement, and fostering social cohesion as key pillars in building resilience and promoting peaceful coexistence,” Nabbanja noted. China’s Charge d’Affaires ad interim, Fan Xuecheng, said the grant signals an expansion of China’s role in Uganda beyond infrastructure and development financing. “While China has long supported Uganda’s development agenda, this project marks an important step in extending that support to humanitarian response efforts,” he said. The programme will provide hot meals, dignity kits, psychosocial care and play materials for children. It also aims to strengthen child protection systems, create safe spaces for families and improve coordination among humanitarian agencies. “We will ensure that new refugee arrivals receive immediate support and that services are delivered in a timely and coordinated manner,” said Wycliffe Nsheka. Ministers present at the launch included Hilary Onek (Disaster Preparedness), Henry Okello Oryem (State Minister for Foreign Affairs) and Lilian Aber (State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees). For Uganda, the announcement is more than a donation. It is a reminder that refugee policy is no longer only a humanitarian issue. It is also a test of diplomacy, burden-sharing and how the world responds to displacement on Africa’s frontlines.The post China injects $1 Million into Uganda refugee crisis appeared first on The Observer.