Barriers and Bridges: Analyzing Capital Factors Influencing Refugee Access to University Education in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Western Uganda

Structural, economic and social constraints often limit refugee access to university education. We investigated how capital factors influence refugee access to university education in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Guided by Bourdieu’s theory of practice (1977) as the analytic lens, we explored how financial resources, social networks and cultural knowledge shape refugees’ opportunities to access university education. Subscribing to the advocacy world view, we used the case study research design. We collected data through interviews, document review and focus group discussions. We used purposive and snowball sampling to select 27 participants for the study. We analyzed data using thematic data analysis. Findings reveal that refugees with stronger economic means, supportive social networks and greater cultural and capital are more likely to access university education, while those with limited resources and connections face significant barriers. The study highlights that structural provisions alone are insufficient; enhancing refugee access requires integrated strategies that combine scholarships, mentorship and culturally responsive educational support. By emphasizing the role of capital, we provide critical insights for policymakers, institutions and communities aiming to foster equitable university education access for refugees in Uganda and similar contexts. This study has demonstrated that various forms of capital influence refugee access to university education by 60%. Thus, interventions aimed at enhancing refugee access to university education in Nakivale Refugee Settlement should be implemented across policy, institutional and community levels.