The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kisoro, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Bunagana Primary School in Kisoro district has received 178 million Shillings from United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for hosting Congolese refugees.
The money will be used to construct a three-classroom block and face-lift other facilities.
Located at the Uganda-DRC border, the school was in March and April this year closed for more than two weeks to host refugees who had fled fighting between Armed Forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in Rutshuru territory.
Even after the school resumed operations, the refugees still occupied the school until September when they were forcefully evicted by Kisoro district authorities.
Paul Ali-Pauni Shelubale, the head of UNHCR in charge of Western Uganda says that Jemaso Enterprise Limited a construction company was awarded the contract for the works.
He says that the gesture is to meant to express gratitude to the school management as well as members of the communities for not being hostile to the refugees.
Hajji Shafique Ssekandi, Kisoro Resident District Commissioner says that UNHCR is also set to construct a 5-stance VIP latrine at the school.
Godfrey Bigira, the head teacher of Bunagana Primary School commended UNHCR for supporting the school.
M23 rebels still occupy several parts of Rutshuru, Masisi, and Nyiragongo territories including the Uganda-DRC border of Bunagana and Busanza/Kitagoma. This has led European Union to slap sanctions against the M23 rebels’ spokesperson, Major Willy Ngoma.
DRC accuses rebels of being backed by Rwanda. But Rwanda and its rebels strongly refute the accusations. Rebels claim to be fighting DR Congo governance that is based on corruption, xenophobia, and segregation among others.
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