Showcasing Refugee Self-Reliance at UNGA80 Side Event
Uganda continues to demonstrate its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative initiatives both at home and on the global stage.
Refugees in Uganda have used cash assistance to rebuild their lives, starting small businesses and achieving self-reliance. The Government of Uganda is sharing these successes on the global stage by co-hosting a high-level side event at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York. Titled “Lasting Impact: Uganda’s Leadership on Refugee Self-Reliance and Cash Transfers,” the event is scheduled for 24th September 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Uganda House – the Ugandan Mission to the UN. Organized in partnership with the international NGO GiveDirectly, the side event will highlight how Uganda’s cash transfer initiatives for refugees are driving sustainable development outcomes and setting an example for other countries.
Uganda is widely recognized for its progressive refugee policies and innovative use of cash assistance in humanitarian response. In partnership with GiveDirectly and other development partners, the government has piloted and scaled large one-time Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCTs) as a central tool for refugee self-reliance and inclusive development. These cash-first interventions have enabled refugee and host community households to stabilize their consumption, invest in productive assets, start or expand small businesses, and improve their livelihoods.
This leadership in refugee self-reliance comes at a critical time when global forums are calling for evidence-based, innovative solutions to protracted humanitarian challenges. Uganda’s model exemplifies the ideals of international agreements such as the Global Compact on Refugees and the Kampala Declaration (2025), which urge approaches that bridge immediate relief with long-term development through inclusive, science-driven solutions.
Key objectives of the side event include sharing compelling evidence of Uganda’s cash-transfer approach and its impacts, launching a new policy brief by the Overseas Development Institute’s Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) titled “Make Aid Go Further: Supercharge the Impact of Cash” that highlights the effectiveness of cash-first assistance, and engaging governments and donors to support scaling up of these interventions across more communities.
The side event’s outcomes are anticipated to inform global discussions on how direct cash assistance can be leveraged for greater impact, illustrating a shift toward humanitarian approaches that not only provide immediate relief but also lay the groundwork for long-term self-reliance and development.