Mariajose Silva-Vargas

Kee Bar, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Uganda is the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, and fifth worldwide, with over 1.9 million refugees in 2026. Its open-door policy allows refugees to live in settlements or move freely to cities. While many seek employment in cities, others create their own opportunities, opening small businesses within the settlements. This image captures one of those spaces, the Kee Bar, a lively Ethiopian cafe in the Nakivale refugee settlement.