Determinants of refugees’ vulnerability to insecurity at Bidibidi settlement camp in north western Uganda

Abstract

This assessed the political and socio-economic factors affecting security in Bidibidi Settlement Camp in North Western Uganda. The objectives of this study are to explore political factors affecting security in Bidibidi Settlement Camp in North Western Uganda, to establish social factors affecting security in Bidibidi Settlement Camp in North Western Uganda, to find out economic factors affecting security in Bidibidi Settlement Camp in North Western Uganda, and to propose strategies for improving security in Bidibidi Settlement Camp in North Western Uganda. The study adopted the cross sectional and phenomenological research designs on a sample of 382. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and an interview guide. The data was analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics and inferential analyses that are correlation and regression, and qualitatively through content analysis. The study found out that political, social and economic factors had a positive and significant influence on security of refuges. It was concluded that political factors are linked to refugees’ security, social factors are connected to refugees’ security, and the economic situation in the refugee camp has significant implications for security. It is recommended that governments of host countries, humanitarian agencies and leaders of refuges should make effort to minimize political issues that threaten refuge security, host governments, humanitarian leaders, and refugee leaders must work together to address the social factors connected to refugees' security, and host governments, humanitarian leaders, and refugee leaders must prioritize economic development in refugee camps to mitigate conflicts over resources and protect vulnerable groups like women.