Finn Church Aid chief Nsheka addresses issue of refugee youths

Wycliffe Nsheka, the country director, Finn Church Aid (FCA), has clarified that the recent reports about detentions involving refugee youths from Rwamwanja refugee settlement, Kamwenge district and FCA staff in Jinja on April 25, 2025 contain inaccuracies.

Nsheka notes that FCA has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Office of the Prime Minister, department of refugees and is UNHCR’s implementing partner for Education sector in refugee settlements of southwestern Uganda and Complementary pathways (education scholarships and labour mobility) in all refugee settlements in Uganda.

FCA has been training refugee and host community youths in various vocational skills to create self-reliance and economic independence of refugees in Uganda.

“In April, 2025, FCA facilitated the employment of 99 refugees and Ugandans from Rwamwanja and Kyaka II refugee settlements in southwestern Uganda at Nytil factory in Jinja. These individuals, trained as tailors were carefully selected and prepared for this opportunity. This effort follows a similar successful initiative in 2024, where 150 youth were placed at Nytil to work,” he says in a recently-released statement.

“Adhering strictly to safeguarding protocols and in coordination with key stakeholders, including the Office of the Prime Minister (Camp Commandant, Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement) and UNHCR Rwamwanja Field Office, FCA arranged for the safe transportation and accommodation of these individuals to Jinja.”

Background

On April 25, 2025, as FCA was finalizing administrative procedures with Nytil factory’s management, FCA staff and refugee youth were intercepted by local authorities in Jinja, including members of the Njeru police team, deputy RDC, mayor, and DISO.

Despite presenting all required documentation, the group was taken to the police for interrogation. According to Nsheka, FCA promptly provided comprehensive documentation, including the MOU between FCA and Nytil factory, detailing the lawful and organized placement of vocational graduates.

Following these clarifications, FCA received clearance, and the refugee youths proceeded safely with their employment. The legal and policy frameworks in Uganda grant refugees’ access to key rights and national services.

Since 1999, Uganda has been pursuing a development response to forced displacement and has worked on developing self-reliance strategies for refugees. The Constitution grants protection from discrimination for all persons within the territory of Uganda including refugees.

This spirit is reinforced in the Refugees Act of 2006. Finn Church Aid was founded in 1947 and is a professional, non-political and neutral humanitarian and development organization, whose work is based on international law and the Code of conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief.

The organisation adheres to the International Humanitarian Charter and is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).

“The Organization can therefore not engage in unlawful activities. We extend our sincere appreciation to the RDC, Deputy RDC, DPC, Mayor of Jinja City, and the management of Nytil for their support in resolving this matter,” says Nsheka.