The Sudanese Alliance for Rights is deeply alarmed by the violent clashes that broke out between Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Uganda on 10 July 2025. According to local community leaders, the incident left 18 people injured, two of them critically. Such violence in a space meant to provide safety for people fleeing conflict is a devastating reflection of the deep trauma, frustration, and despair caused by the ongoing war in Sudan.
This tragic event cannot be separated from the broader consequences of the war, which continues to wreak havoc on the lives of millions of Sudanese. Since the conflict began in April 2023, more than 8.8 million people have been displaced within Sudan, and over 3.5 million have fled to neighbouring countries and beyond. The suffering of Sudanese people in exile is growing—many are forced to live in overcrowded camps, face rising xenophobia, and now, tragically, are turning on each other out of fear, desperation, and broken systems.
We must be clear: the violence in refugee camps like Kiryandongo is not just the result of isolated incidents—it is a direct consequence of a brutal and unresolved war. This war is destroying families, uprooting generations, and pushing Sudanese communities into prolonged suffering both at home and abroad. It is stripping them not only of their homes and livelihoods but also of their dignity, unity, and hope.
The top five countries hosting Sudanese refugees—Egypt, South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, and Uganda—are absorbing the shock of this crisis, but they cannot carry this burden alone. Uganda, with around 77,000 Sudanese refugees since 2023, has shown generosity, but its resources are stretched thin, and humanitarian support remains grossly underfunded. Without an end to the war, displacement will persist, tensions will rise, and incidents like those in Kiryandongo will become more frequent.
We therefore call on:
- Warring parties in Sudan to commit to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The lives of millions hang in the balance, and every day of continued fighting pushes more people into trauma and exile.
- Regional and international actors to step up pressure and mediation efforts to secure a political resolution and deliver justice for victims of this war.
- Humanitarian agencies and host governments, including Uganda, to provide emergency support to those affected by the Kiryandongo incident and to reinforce peacebuilding and protection within camps.
- The international community to increase funding for the Sudan Refugee Response Plan and ensure safe, dignified conditions for all those forced to flee.
The Sudanese people cannot endure much more. Even in exile, they are not free from harm. This war must end—not only for those still trapped inside Sudan but also for the millions scattered across borders, struggling every day to survive, to belong, and to rebuild.
The Sudanese Alliance for Rights stands in solidarity with all Sudanese affected by this crisis and reaffirms our commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of the displaced.
