The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kisoro, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Security personnel in Kisoro district are concerned about Congolese refugees escaping from gazetted camps to their country through the Bunagana border.
The refugees fled to the Ugandan border district of Kisoro due to fighting between the March M23 Movement (M23) rebels and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) troops in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province that started in March this year.
The fighting left the Uganda-DR Congo border of Bunagana and neighboring areas in the hands of the rebels since June 13. Many refugees proceeded to the Nyakabande transit center where they were later transferred to various refugee camps and others camped at the border areas of Bunagana, Rukundo, Mpaka town councils, Muramba, and Nyarubuye sub-counties until early this month when they were forcefully chased by security officials.
The authorities are however concerned that in the last two weeks, they have started registering many cases of refugees escaping from refugee camps back to loiter in Kisoro border areas while others crossing through the Bunagana border.
One of the refugees who preferred anonymity said that he escaped from Rwamwanja refugee camp to return to his home area in Nkokwe because he had received information that fighting had stopped. He said that returning home will help him start a new life.
Justin Bolaya, another refugee said that he escaped from Nakivale after the United Nations High Commission for Refugees reduced the upkeep money from 80,000 to 13,000 Shillings.
Hajji Safique Ssekandi, Kisoro Resident District Commissioner says that in the last two weeks, 600 refugees have been intercepted from Bunagana border while escaping from refugee camps and attempting to cross to Congo. Ssekandi says that the refugees are escaping from Nakivale, Rwamwanja, and Kyaka refugee settlements. He says that refugees are citing food shortage.
Ssekandi however says that the intercepted refugees who always cross through Bunagana which is under the control of the rebels are registered and allowed to cross to Congo through the Busanza border where they are officially handed over to Congolese security.
Meanwhile, eight deaths of refugees who fled fighting between M23 rebels and FARDC soldiers in Rutshuru territory to five camps in the Munigi Groupement in Nyiragongo territory have been recorded since June this year.
According to the president of the camps Theo Musekura, the latest death was registered on Saturday last week at Kahembe primary school. Musekura says that the victim is a seven-year-old girl who died as a result of hunger.
Jean Étienne Muzungu, the Executive Secretary of ACADEPA Zaburi operating in Nyiragongo territory says that the refugees lack medicines, sanitary facilities, and adequate shelter.
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