The contribution of non formal education to the livelihoods of refugees in Uganda: a case of urban refugees in lubaga division, Kampala district

Abstract

This research project was formulated by the Author after extensively undertaking a career in refugee issues for a period of more than twelve years now. The study focused on the two distinct variables of the contribution of non-formal skills education acquired by refugees in Uganda and how these skills attained by the refugees have made a contribution on the livelihoods of the refugees in Uganda. The examination of this statement by the Author of this research is done in the conceptual framework of the study and the supported by the findings of the study as generated during the collection of the data and this will be discussed thoroughly in the subsequent chapters of this report. This study combined qualitative and quantitative lenses in that key informant interviews were conducted with staff working on the refugee programme within government and the nongovernmental organizations to support the generation of information as per the specific objectives of the study and the research questions. Household questionnaires were also administered through conducting interviews with the respondents who have acquired skills in non-formal education supported by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and its partners. Sample size selection was conducted; cluster sampling was adopted mainly targeting the Congolese refugees because of the homogenous nature of their settlement in the selected parishes of Lubaga DiVision such as Nabulagala, Katwe where most of these live. From the findings of this study, there was considerable evidence from the respondents that the non-formal skills education and training acquired have made significant contribution on the livelihoods of refugees in Uganda as later argued out using the different independent and dependent variables of this study. Therefore drawing from the specific objectives of this study, the findings significantly highlight that non-formal skills education varies in terms of the skill acquired by the learner and in turn this skill has potential to make a lasting impact on the livelihood of the learner as will be shown in this report.