10,000 Congolese refugees relocated to Bundibugyo district

Bundibugyo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Office of the Prime Minister has resolved to resettle more than 10,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC to the transit centre in Bundibugyo district.

The refugees who are fleeing fighting in Boga town crossed into Ntoroko district. The town is about 25km from Ntoroko district.

Ntoroko district local leaders settled the refugees at Rwamabale Primary School, bordering Bundibugyo district while others in Bweramule, Rwebisengo, Karugutu, Kanara and Butungama sub counties.

However, the leaders say they don’t have adequate resources to handle the numbers.

David Mugenyi, a settlement commandant in OPM says preparations are underway to expand the Bubukwanga transit centre which is designated to receive all refugees in the districts of Bundibugyo and Ntoroko.

Mugenyi also said they have constituted a joint screening team comprising of OPM and security agencies in the two districts to avoid compromising national security.

William Kasoro, the Ntoroko LC V chairperson says transferring the refugees to Bundibugyo is a huge relief because the district lacked facilities to accommodate the high number.

The Ntoroko Resident District Commissioner Misaki Kawamara says that the refugees entering through illegal border points are a security threat to the district.

Mubarak Masereka, the Ntoroko District Education Officer wants the government to support the district to rehabilitate school structures that were being used by the refugees.

He says in some schools, the floor has been ruined and so is for some windows.

Uganda is the third-largest refuge host country with over 1.4 million displaced people from South Sudan, Burundi and neighbouring DRC.

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