Information needs of South Sudanese refugees in North Western Uganda at Bidi Bidi refugee settlement

This study was qualitative in nature and adopted phenomenological research design. The study population included South Sudanese refugees in North Western Uganda (NWU) as well as refugee administrators at Bidi Bidi refugee settlement which hosts over 240,000 refugees. A purposively selected sample of 60 participants was used in the study including 50 refugees and 10 refugees’ administrators. Non participatory observation, group and individual interview techniques were used to collect and gather data. Findings from the study revealed that refugees had various information needs which are presented in the themes of health, education, economic, peace and security, faith and spiritual categories. Information needs included information on agriculture, employment, saving and investment, markets, among others. Information needs on health and education were more visible among the refugees while information needs on the spiritual being and faith of the refugees were the least visible. Adult male refugees were more conscious on security in the settlement and sought this information more than the other categories of refugees in the settlement. On the basis of study findings, it’s recommended that refugees’ providers respond to refugees with focus on their information needs to support their integration and sustenance.