On December 12, 2025, RefugeeLink was present at a historic gathering at Motiv Bugolobi: Uganda’s inaugural national trade exhibition dedicated to refugee entrepreneurs. Organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the Office of the Prime Minister, UNHCR, and key partners, the event powerfully reframed the narrative around refugees—recognizing them not as passive aid recipients, but as dynamic, vital contributors to the national economy.
Our team witnessed firsthand the strong governmental commitment. The Prime Minister’s representative announced concrete policy advancements, including efforts to streamline access to Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) and work permits for refugees. Key initiatives like the World Bank-funded GROW Project and the multi-ministry Jobs and Livelihoods Integrated Response Plan were detailed, highlighting a growing support ecosystem focused on market-relevant skills training, financial access, and business development for refugees and host communities alike.
Most importantly, attending allowed us to listen directly to refugee entrepreneurs. Leaders from the community articulated the ongoing challenges that stall potential: a pervasive information gap, significant language barriers, and the daunting complexity of business certification and documentation.
For RefugeeLink, being at this event was both inspiring and clarifying. It reinforced our core role as a connector and enabler within this evolving landscape. We are committed to bridging the critical gap between these promising national programs and the refugee communities they aim to serve. By facilitating information flow, amplifying community-led solutions, and advocating for the implementation of supportive policies, we will work to ensure the powerful vision of economic inclusion launched at Motiv becomes a tangible reality for all.