14,000 Congolese defiant as Pressure on host communities reaches breaking point.

By VOM News Team

Leaders in Kisoro district have petitioned the Government of Uganda and other humanitarian agencies to intervene and prevent an imminent crisis of food insecurity, rise in criminal activity and disastrous environmental consequences on host communities where over 14,000 Congolese have adamantly refused to go to the Nyakabande Transit and holding center.

The 28^th of March fighting between Congolese Government forces and M23 rebel group caused thousands of Congolese to flee into Uganda seeking Shelter and food.

The cumulative number of asylum seekers manually registered since the war broke out is 38,106 individuals.

Over 9000 Congolese have voluntarily been relocated to settlement camps including Nakivale and Kyaka.

Majority of the asylum seekers continue to criss- cross between the holding camp in Nyakabande, Kisoro Municipality and five other host communities in the district.

The Congolese, claim to be monitoring the events unfolding back home while for some, the idea of being registered, processed and sent off to settlement camps deeper inland into Uganda as refugees is simply unacceptable.

It is nearly four months now, and the credulous belief among the Congolese hanging around the verandahs of people’s home in Kisoro, that one day soon, they too will return home has not waned down.

This has come at a great cost to the people of Kisoro whose resources, patience and hospitality is quickly wearing thin.

Reports of Congolese cutting down trees from people’s private property to construct temporary shelters, harvesting food from people’s gardens or insistences of open defecation have become so rampant, local leaders have run out of remedies to offer to a frustrated local populace.

Warnings of a looming outbreak of disease including Cholera and diarrhea and dysentery have long been made but Government’s response, through Office of Prime Minister (OPM) has not been commensurate.

Efforts to vaccinate the Congolese living among the host communities against Covid-19 and Cholera by Kisoro district health department have hit a dead end because the Congolese have refused to be inoculated.

Begging, thieving and Alcoholism on the rise

Buturanya village LCI in Chihe parish, Nyakinama Sub-County Rwubaka Vincent Gatama says the Congolese often pass through his village and many others, begging for food.

According to Gatama, the refugees often secure up to 5 cups of beans from sympathizers which they immediately sell off for alcohol.

“We give them beans today and they return tomorrow. Out of Sympathy, we give them some Irish potatoes, only to learn that they sell whatever we give them for Alcohol”, Gatama explained

Daudi line of Karumena village in central division, Kisoro municipality says many Congolese spend their days roaming around town begging.

Line says, they scout homes to see if anyone is there and then steal clothes and shoes they find outside.

“The Government needs to come in and help these people. Many of them are engaging in theft and other dubious activities, we are not safe as long as they are not getting the support they need”, Line said

Bunagana town council Mayor Ismail Ndayambaje says the situation is getting out of hand.

According to Ndayambaje, many youth are being enticed to join the different fighting groups in Eastern DRC with hopes of getting material riches.

Sources with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) have told Voice of Muhabura, that all humanitarian agencies operating in Kisoro district have been advised not to carry out any support activities within host communities.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown

Kisoro Resident District Commissioner Hajji Shafiq Sekandi says the district will continue to use diplomatic strategies in order to convince the Congolese to seek more dignified services at the camp.

Sekandi says, Government is aware of the challenging situation adding that a more holistic approach is being considered to alleviate the burden from the great people of Kisoro district.

Additional reporting by Alex Gahima, Banabasi Kamusime and Bosco Nemeyimana