Abstract:

This paper provides an empirical review of the role Cash Transfer Programmes play on refugees’ welfare in Uganda. Cash Transfer was measured using non-conditional cash and Cash for works whereas refugees’ welfare was measured using food security, education and medical. The study anchored on contingency theory. The target population was 425,732 refugees in the two districts and a sample of 400 were drawn. The study used primary data collected from refugees and corroborated with key informants’ interviews from Districts officials. The scope of the study was 2015-2018. A cross sectional descriptive design was used while data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses. It was found that cash transfers play significant role on refugees’ welfare in Uganda. The study recommends as follows; encourage the use of direct cash transfer, discourage the use of vouchers, enforce cash for works scheme only up to the extent possible, increase and regularly review the transfer value and the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation to be actively involved with implementing organisations and review the approaches and modality of cash transfer before implementation. Further, government particularly Office of the Prime Minister and UNHCR including key actors within the humanitarian space to formulate policies which deter misappropriation of resources meant for refugees, acquisition of advanced technology which can track financial resources from source to the point of distribution and most importantly, conduct value for money audits within 3 months of implementation and thereafter on quarterly basis.

Keywords: Cash Transfer, Non-Conditional Cash, Cash for works, Vouchers, Uganda.

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