Last Change:
09/02/2026
The Refugees Act (2006)
Year: 2006
Type: Domestic law
Rights Category: Work & Workplace rights
Description
The Refugees Act (2006) is the principal law that addresses rights, obligations, and protections of refugees and asylum seekers. The law also establishes institutions and procedures for the conduct of matters of interest to PoCs. The Refugees Act provides for (1) Determination of refugee status (part II), (2) Administrative matters relating to refugees (part III), (3) Application for refugee status and related matters (part IV),(4) Rights and obligations of refugees (part V), (5) Miscellaneous matters (prosecution of unlawful entry into Uganda (section 38), procedures for withdrawal of refugee status (section 39), expulsion of refugees(section 40), extradition of refugees(sections 41, 42), settlements and transit centres (section 44), naturalisation of refugees (section 45), voluntary repatriation (section 46)).
Selected provisions
(1) There is established a Refugee Appeals Board consisting of a Chairperson
and four other members appointed by the Minister on such terms and conditions as
the Minister may determine.
(2) The members of the Appeals Board shall be appointed from among persons
having knowledge of or experience in refugee law or matters relating to
immigration, foreign affairs, national security, local administration, human rights
and refugees generally.
(3) A member of the Eligibility Committee shall not be a member of the
Appeals Board.
(1) The Appeals Board may receive and hear appeals from the decisions of the
Eligibility Committee on questions of law and procedure.
(2) In any appeal before it, the Appeals Board may—
(a) confirm the decision of the Eligibility Committee;
(b) set aside the decision of the Eligibility Committee and refer the matter back
to the Committee for further consideration and decision;
(c) order a rehearing of the application; or
(d) dismiss the appeal.
(3) The Appeals Board shall expeditiously hear and determine any appeal
referred to it and, in any case, shall make a decision within sixty days after the date
of receipt of the appeal.
(4) For the avoidance of doubt, the Appeals Board shall not make a decision
granting the status of refugee to an applicant.
(5) An applicant shall be notified of the decision of the Appeals Board in
writing within fourteen days after the date of the decision.
(6) Subject to this Act, the Appeals Board may decide its own procedure except
so far as its procedures are prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
(7) The Minister shall assign specific persons employed in the Ministry to carry
out the administrative functions of the Appeals Board as may be necessary for the
functioning of the Board.