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A weekly development news platform published by UrgeDevWire, produced by Urge Communications. Covering wider East African region.

Dev-News News Desk| East Africa. Urge- DevWire

New Finance Focus Emerges for Refugee-Owned Businesses in Uganda

NAKIVALE, Uganda — 31 July 2026

Refugee entrepreneurs in Uganda are gaining greater attention as development organisations explore ways to connect displaced populations with formal financial services and business opportunities. A new story published by the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) on 31 July highlights the experiences of refugee entrepreneurs in Nakivale Refugee Settlement and the barriers they face when trying to access finance.

Refugee-owned businesses frequently lack collateral, formal financial records and established credit histories, making it difficult to qualify for conventional financial products. UNCDF's account highlights the experience of Pascaline Uwamahoro, a Congolese refugee who operates a small grocery business in the settlement. Her story illustrates how financial literacy, savings mechanisms, income-generating activities, record keeping and joint decision-making can help refugee entrepreneurs build stronger businesses.

The issue is important beyond individual livelihoods. Refugee settlements have developed significant local economies, with businesses providing goods and services to both refugee and host communities. Improving access to finance could therefore contribute to household resilience while strengthening local markets.

The development challenge is finding financial models that allow refugees to participate in formal financial systems without exposing lenders to unsustainable levels of risk. Digital financial services, savings groups, alternative credit assessment and targeted business-development support could become increasingly important.

Source: UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), 31 July 2026.

Dev-News Desk| East Africa. Urge- DevWire