By Alex Gahima
More than 4000 Congolese who have been living among host communities in Kisoro have moved to the Nyakabande holding center during the Easter break bringing the total population at the camp to 14,358.
The move comes following a deliberate effort from the Office of the Kisoro District Resident Commissioner (RDC) led by Hajji Shafiq Sekandi.
During the meeting held on 10th April, 2022, a total of 34 LC I chairpersons of villages in Bunagana, Muramba, Nyarubuye and Rukundo Town Council were told to give all Congolese still living among the communities to move to the holding center within seven days.
The seven days officially elapsed yesterday.
Kisoro RDC Shafiq Sekandi says the move is encouraging.
He says so many Congolese are still in the communities however with continuous sensitization, more asylum seekers will realize that the Government of Uganda has their best interests at heart.
“Asylum seekers do not choose where to go, we give them where to go and we give them security from there. It was proving difficult to account for all those in the community. This is a positive step in the right direction,” Sekandi said
Sekandi pointed out that a group of Congolese requested for special consideration after they petitioned the Government of Uganda to be allowed to rent and live in Uganda.
“Some Congolese Government employees who work in DR. Congo during the day have requested to sleep in Uganda during the night due to the insecurity back home. These include Congolese Customs, Immigration officers as well as some Police officers”, Sekandi explained
Bunagana town Council Mayor Ismail Ndayambaje says the situation at Bunagana has greatly improved as fewer Congolese can be seen sleeping on people’s verandahs.
“We still have many Congolese moving back into DR Congo during the day and then returning to sleep into Uganda because the war broke out just after planting season so many go back to weed and look after their gardens, Ndayambaje explained.
Camp conditions Improve as Refugee Eligibility Committee set to visit Nyakabande Camp
Sekandi says more tents have been constructed and water supply has been boasted thanks to efforts by Uganda Red Cross.
He notes that some Congolese have applied for refugee status and their move to settlement centers is solely dependent on the Refugee Eligibility committee which is set to come and review their stories to determine whether they qualify to move to settlement camps in Kyaka, Nakivale and Rwamwanja.
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