Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026)
Navigating Displacement: Cultural Adaptation and Resilience among Migrant Communities in Uganda, 2021–2026
Abstract
The cultural adaptation of displaced populations in host nations is a critical yet under-researched aspect of African community development, particularly concerning the resilience strategies employed by migrant communities within the continent. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of cultural adaptation among migrant communities in Uganda, identifying the key resilience mechanisms they employ and the barriers they face in the integration process. A qualitative, multi-sited ethnographic design was employed, incorporating 78 in-depth interviews and 14 focus group discussions with migrants from across Southern Africa, alongside participant observation in community settings. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis identified three core themes: pragmatic biculturalism as a dominant adaptation strategy, the central role of transnational digital networks in preserving cultural identity, and environmental scarcity as a primary stressor undermining resilience. A key finding was that approximately two-thirds of participants consciously maintained distinct public and private cultural personas to navigate social acceptance. The study concludes that cultural adaptation for these communities is a non-linear, tactical process where resilience is exercised through strategic cultural compartmentalisation rather than assimilation or full integration. Policymakers should support community-led cultural hubs and digital connectivity initiatives. Integration programmes must move beyond basic needs to facilitate platforms for intercultural dialogue that acknowledge migrants' complex bicultural realities. cultural adaptation, resilience, migrant communities, displacement, Uganda, qualitative research This paper provides a novel conceptualisation of 'pragmatic biculturalism' as a core resilience mechanism, derived directly from the lived experiences of Southern African migrants in Uganda, challenging linear models of integration.
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