District boss calls for refugee repatriation as UNHCR funding cuts strain health services
ADJUMANI, January 7, 2026 — The Adjumani district LCV Chairperson, Ben Anyama, has warned that refugees may have to be relocated from the district if humanitarian agencies are no longer able to sustain essential services following funding cuts.
Anyama made the remarks days ago while addressing journalists at the district headquarters, following a decision by Medical Teams International [MTI] to lay off 243 health workers from 13 integrated health facilities, a move that has plunged health service delivery in the district into crisis.
Adjumani currently hosts nearly 230,000 refugees, a figure almost equal to the local population, placing enormous pressure on social services, particularly healthcare. Anyama said the withdrawal of more than 230 health workers would cripple an already overstretched health system.
“I convened a meeting today with UNHCR, MTI and other partners to discuss this matter. One of the conditions we gave them was to communicate my position to their headquarters in Kampala,” Anyama said.
“They must halt the process of laying off these staff and ensure all services in the 13 facilities continue. If they cannot sustain operations, then they should take the refugees back to their country and place them in internally displaced persons’ IDP camps in South Sudan,” he added.
Health workers on the ground say the impact is already being felt. Alex Amaunzi, the In-charge of Ayiri Health Centre III, said the facility has been left with only three staff members attending to more than 100 patients daily.
“Because of the presence of refugees and the high patient numbers we receive, this facility requires at least 30 staff to operate effectively,”Amaunzi said.
The District Health Officer, Dr Dominic Drametu, confirmed that all 13 integrated health facilities are now operating with severely reduced staffing levels. He noted that even before MTI’s withdrawal, some facilities were already understaffed.
Responding to the concerns, MTI Regional Manager Christopher Nyolonga said the layoffs were necessitated by a significant funding shortfall. He explained that while MTI had budgeted Shs5.6 billion for human resources in 2025, the allocation for this year stands at only Shs 325 million.
“Currently, we have just 45 staff ready for deployment due to these financial constraints,” Mr Nyolonga said.
The Head of the UNHCR Sub-Office in Adjumani, Bernard A. Inkoom, acknowledged the funding challenges, noting that available resources come with strict conditions that affect both technical and support staff.
Meanwhile, the Adjumani Resident District Commissioner, Swaib Toko, criticised the manner in which the layoffs were conducted, urging MTI to manage the transition more carefully to avoid disrupting health service delivery.
Background
Adjumani district hosts 231,483 refugees alongside a national population of 300,590. The district has 44 health units, including 13 integrated facilities serving both refugees and host communities.
https://thecooperator.news/residents-demand-closure-of-poorly-managed-landfill-in-adjumani/
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