PROGRAMME FOR THE INAUGURAL EAST AFRICAN REFUGEE LAW BOOK LAUNCH

Date: Saturday, 8^th November, 2025

Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Venue: Tavern Woods, Kabusu

Theme: Celebrating Scholarly Contribution to Refugee Protection in East Africa.

Time	Duration	Activity	Key Participants
2:00 pm	30 Mins	Arrival, Registration, Introductions & Networking	Guests, Ushers
2:30 pm	5 mins	Opening and Welcome Remarks	Master of Ceremony
2:35 pm	5 mins	Remarks from Chairperson Organizing Committee	Ms. Tracy Nabakiibi
2:40 pm	10 mins	Presentation on the State of Refugee Protection in Kenya	Ms. Kemunto Fridah (Guild President -CUEA)
2:50 pm	10 mins	Presentation on Access to Justice by Refugees	Dr. Patricia Atim
3:00 pm	20 min	Remarks from NGO”s : UHRC, Refugee Law Project, Young African Refugees for Intergral Development (YARID)	NGO Representatives
3:30 pm	10 mins	Remarks from Treasurer: Uganda Law Society	Mr. Isiko Arthur
3:40 pm	10 mins	Book Review and Academic Context	Dr. Suzan
3:50 pm	20 mins	Key note Address: State of Refugee Protection in Africa	Mr. David Yambio: Co-founder Refugees in Libya
4:10 pm	10 mins	Remarks from the Commissioner for Refugees: Office of the Prime Minister	Mr. Patrick Okello
4:20 pm	30 mins	Authors Presentation: Journey & Significance of the Book	Mwanje Gideon
4:50 pm	10 mins	Official Book Launch Ceremony	Author, Keynote Speaker, Guests
5:00 pm	10 mins	Networking & Photos

REFUGEE LAW IN EAST AFRICA BOOK SYNOPSIS

Book: The Refugee Law in East Africa

Author: Mwanje Gideon

Overview: This book is a pioneering resource in refugee law across the region and it provides a comprehensive overview of the East Africa legal regime for refugee protection, exploring its interplay with interational refugee law and human rights law. It discusses East Africa's contributions to international refugee law, including hosting a great number of refugees, it further analyses cardinal Principles in refugee law such as Non-refoulement. The book examines the complexities of the East African refugee crisis, offering insights into the root causes and potential solutions. Domestic legal frameworks and the numerous judicial precedents.

The author being a pioneer student of refugee law in Uganda shares authentic and critical aspects of refugee law needed by practitioners, researchers and law students.

Some key topics in refugee law in East Africa include:

• Monism & Dualism incorporation of international refugee laws

• Rights and Duties of Refugees

• Becoming and cessation of refugee status

• Refugee Definition: The 1951 convention and OAU Refugee Convention definitions

• Non-Refoulement Principle: This principle prohibits states from returning refugees or asylum-seekers to territories where their life or freedom would be threatened.

• Regional and Domestic Instruments: The OAU Refugee Convention, Refugee Acts and policies