Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from Uganda and South Sudan, this article considers return movements of refugees to uncover underlying causes. The study found that due to a number of factors, including gradual aid reductions, lack of livelihood opportunities in Uganda and severe hardship, South Sudanese refugees travel back to their homeland in hope of being able to financially support their relatives who remain in Uganda. The article argues that this phenomenon of returns and split households underscores how refugees must find their own way of funding their refugeehood, especially given the constant reductions in international assistance.

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