By Gerard Niyirinda
The Bufumbira South Member of Parliament Hon. Alex Niyonsaba alias ‘Seruganda’ has said he is prepared to take the discussion of the refugee crisis in Kisoro district to the floor of Parliament.
Hon. Niyonsaba says, his decision comes following several attempts to reach Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Minister for Security Jim Muhwezi to discuss possible solutions on the refugee crisis in the district but to no avail.
Niyonsaba (Seruganda), who is also the chairperson of Kisoro Parliamentarian’s committee made the remarks yesterday while addressing the district council, at the Kisoro district headquarters.
“On several occasions I have tried calling the Prime Minister and she has refused to pick my calls, I have also tried to calling the Minister for Security and he too has refused to pick my phone calls, Niyonsaba explained
Niyonsaba says he is now left with no choice but to present the issue on the floor of parliament because if a Member of Parliament can be ignored like that, it means the people of Kisoro are not being heard.
Kisoro district has been dealing with an influx of Congolese Asylum seekers since the 28th of March 2022 when fighting between Congolese Government forces and rebel group M23 resumed.
The Kisoro district LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana has also expressed his distaste towards the Government directive to have the holding camp at Nyakabande closed down.
On the 31st of October 2022, the Holding camp in Nyakabande was closed down after nearly six months of providing shelter and other core relief items to Congolese Asylum seekers.
During the Council meeting, Hon. Niyonsaba stressed the importance of Government support towards the communities living along the mountain slopes of Muhabura, which are still prone to mudslides and other natural calamities.
“Climate change is real, it is important that Government comes on board to assist those communities because in the next five to ten years, a worse disaster is likely to occur”, Niyonsaba said
In January this year, a total of nine people, including two children died after mudslides from mountain Muhabura swept away several homes and gardens.
The damage was so catastrophic to public infrastructure including roads and buildings.
As the world fixes its gaze on Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt for next few days of COP27 Climate Summit, Local leaders in Kisoro remain concerned about the high rate of deforestation that likely to lead to increased landslides across the district.
The Leaders are now seeking increased Government support in mitigation measures before it is too late.
Discussion about this post