Education and development stakeholders recently converged in Kampala for a transformative three-day workshop, "Co-Creating Inclusive Futures," dedicated to developing inclusive education roadmaps for refugees in Uganda. Hosted at the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA), the event brought together a diverse group of local and international partners, all committed to strengthening equitable learning opportunities for displaced communities. This collaborative effort marks a significant stride towards a national education ecosystem where refugee learners are not just accommodated but truly empowered to thrive.

The workshop fostered a vibrant mix of participants, ensuring a rich and multifaceted dialogue. Representatives from prominent Ugandan institutions such as Busitema University, YMCA Comprehensive Institute, VOCAX Startup Hub, Action for Fundamental Change and Development (AFFCAD), and the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association were present. Their insights were complemented by the global perspectives brought by international collaborators, including Cosvitec Università & Impresa (Italy), IVAIGO (Lithuania), and Universidad de Alicante (Spain). 
Through a series of intensive participatory sessions, the collective aimed to achieve several critical objectives:

• Identify and analyse the current barriers hindering refugee education in Uganda.
• Share and integrate local and international best practices that have proven effective in inclusive education settings.
• Draft actionable and sustainable roadmaps with a clear focus on enhancing access, promoting inclusion, and ensuring the long-term viability of educational initiatives for refugees.

A cornerstone of the workshop was the integration of immersive field visits, designed to bridge the gap between policy discussions and on-the-ground realities. These visits provided participants with first-hand exposure to existing models of inclusive education: 
The workshop commenced with a visit to the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), where participants observed the tangible impact of psychosocial support, language instruction, and vocational training programmes specifically designed for refugee youth. 
Participants explored three pivotal institutions: the YMCA Comprehensive Institute, AFFCAD Vocational Institute, and VOCAX Startup Hub and Training Centre. Each showcased innovative approaches to imparting essential skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting digital empowerment among underserved and refugee populations. 
The final day included a crucial visit to the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), facilitating a critical dialogue on how Uganda’s national curriculum framework can be adapted and evolved to better serve refugee learners and support comprehensive inclusive education policies. 
In a forward-looking initiative, select Ugandan partners will have the opportunity to participate in a job shadowing programme at the University of Alicante in Spain. This international exchange is designed to offer hands-on exposure to inclusive education models within a European context, facilitating the adaptation of these learnings to Uganda’s unique needs and challenges. This global exchange underscores the commitment to fostering a truly integrated and informed approach to refugee education. 
The workshop represented a pivotal step in forging unified, locally grounded, and globally informed pathways for refugee education in Uganda. The collaborative environment fostered deeper partnerships, renewed commitments, and a shared sense of purpose among all involved stakeholders. As one participant eloquently stated, "Together, we are building a more inclusive, resilient, and hopeful education future for all." The outcomes of this workshop are expected to significantly influence future policies and programmes, ensuring that education remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for all displaced communities in Uganda.