Dissertation (MA Demography)This study intended to explore the interaction impacts between neighbouring communities and refugees from a mixed camp: a case study of Nyarugusu refugees mixed camp. More specifically, the study aimed at investigating the ways of interactions between local residents and refugees as well as related impacts of their interactions. The study also aimed at assessing the strategies used by the local communities and refugees to mitigate negative impacts. Some of the research leading questions were: What are the ways of interactions between refugees and neighbouring communities? What are the positive and negative impacts as a result of interactions? What are the strategies used by both communities to deal with negative impacts? This study employed a cross sectional survey design with a sample of 110 respondents who were sampled randomly from both four neighbouring villages and refugees camp. Questionnaires, interviews, observations and documentary review were the methods used to collect data. The data collected were compiled, tabulated and analyzed using SPSS programme version 20 for quantitative and content analysis for qualitative data. Furthermore, it was found that neighbouring and refugee communities interact through economic purposes whereby they exchange goods and food for consumption. They also interact through sharing resources whereby health services influence them to meet very often. The findings revealed that neighbouring communities prefer interacting with refugees from the DRC because of long period of existence, exchange of goods and friendship. Local resident respondents feel afraid of Burundian refugees because they are alleged to be armed thieves and are not friendly. It was also revealed that both societies interact either at local villages or in the refugees‟ camp. The study also found out that positive impacts gained by refugees through interactions with local residents were to change the monotonous diets while local residents declared to gain free health services due to interactions. The negative impacts revealed by both communities were security problems and diseases. The study recommends that the government and the UNHCR should increase security in the areas of interactions between neighbouring and refugee communities.