By Alex Gahima
Authorities at the Nyakabande Transit Camp in Kisoro district have started to dislodge erected shelters at the Nyakabande Holding center that have been serving as temporary shelter for fleeing Congolese for the last six months.
The move comes following a government directive to have all Congolese Asylum seekers either, voluntarily move to settlement camps including Nakivale and Kyaka or go back to their country of Origin.
Daniel Kisaamo, Commandant at Nyakabande refugee transit Camp confirmed the development.
A decision by the Government to scale down the holding camp within three months was first taken, back in May 2022
During an official visit to Kisoro, State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Management and Refugees Hon. Esther Anyakun addressed some 18,000 Congolese Asylum seekers at the holding camp.
After assessing the impact of the refugee influx at Bunagana and Nyakabande, Anyakun implored the distressed Congolese to either go the available settlement camps in Uganda or go back home.
Information from the Office of the Prime Minister reveals that Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo started flocking to Uganda on 28th of March 2022 following renewed Political instability.
At least 17,000 Congolese refugees have been settled in Rubondo mini base camp in Nakivale refugee settlement in Isingiro district.
Three months down the road, Congolese Asylum seekers still choose to remain at the holding camp, despite Government pleas, hoping one day, to return to their motherland.
Kisaamo says, Government has been patient long enough with the Congolese however it is no longer sustainable to maintain a holding camp beyond six months.
According to Kisaamo, the transit camp will remain operational, handling asylum seekers according to the refugee framework.
At least 80 new arrivals, fleeing Political instability were registered on Tuesday this week.
Kisaamo says a planned relocation of more than 600 Congolese to selected settlement camps is expected today.
“Those who choose to return back home are doing it at their own cost, some are hiring private cars, others boda bodas while majority are walking back on foot and passing through Bunagana or Busanza border, Kisaamo explained
Sarah Abio, team leader with Care and Assistance for Forced Migrants (CAFOMI), a humanitarian non-governmental organization says de-commissioning of shelters at the holding camp has already begun.
According to Abio, the last six months have been proof of how much good can come out, when people come together to selflessly give of their time and resources to help others in need.
“The months of April and May proved the toughest when the numbers at the holding camp reached 30,000 however, we managed to perform our duties professionally despite the mounting pressure”, Abim recalls
Abio says, the few weeks and days left, are being used to sensitize the Congolese at the holding camp to prepare for the changes.
Through a program called, ‘Go Visit and Come tell’ ambassadors, shelter leaders who have visited Settlement camps to see and experience report back to the holding camp to share stories of success in the Settlement camps.
“The Asylum seekers are encouraged to go to the settlement camps because they can find better services including education for their children and fertile plots of land to cultivate among others, Abim says.
The trend, however, shows that majority of the Congolese asylum seekers are choosing to return home.
A brief suspension of hostilities between the Congolese Government forces and rebel group M23 has ensured safe passage for all those, returning to the Eastern D.R.C
With close to 18 Humanitarian agencies offering vital services at the holding camp, several organizations have since pulled out to allow for a smooth transition.
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