DR. OPUL JOSEPH: The World’s Greatest Own Goal: Global Leaders Must Stop Missing the Forest for the Trees, Recognize Migrants and Refugees as Catalysts of Prosperity

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion/position letter by Dr. Opul Joseph addressed to global leaders, humanitarian agencies and the wider international community, urging a shift in how governments view migrants and refugees. The letter is framed as coming with greetings from Gulu University, Rotary Clubs of Uganda, Uganda Red Cross Society, Quality Education Consultancy Ltd and OPUL Skilling Foundation Africa, and calls for displaced people to be treated as contributors to prosperity rather than as burdens.

Dr. Opul argues that restrictive migration policies and border controls have deepened human suffering while overlooking the economic and social potential of people on the move. The article names institutions and frameworks such as UNHCR, IOM, UNRWA, the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian and Danish refugee councils, the Schengen system, the Dublin rules, the EU–Turkey Statement, the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and the Kampala Convention as part of the wider policy environment affecting refugees, migrants and internally displaced people.

The letter places particular emphasis on African migration, saying many people leave because of conflict, persecution, climate shocks, poverty and weak livelihoods. It cites the International Organization for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project as documenting tens of thousands of deaths and disappearances on Mediterranean and other routes since 2014, and argues that the loss of life reflects a failure of collective responsibility.

To support its case, the piece points to prominent people with refugee or migrant backgrounds in science, politics, music, sport and advocacy, including Albert Einstein, Madeleine Albright, Ilhan Omar, Luol Deng and Yusra Mardini. The broader message is that migration policy should combine protection, opportunity and development, rather than focus mainly on deterrence and exclusion.