Security resolve ‘Occupied land’ in Bunagana after six months of Carrot and Stick diplomacy

A sense of normalcy is slowly returning to the border town of Bunagana in Kisoro district, where close to 20,000 Congolese, who had encamped themselves along the borderline with the Democratic Republic of Congo have since been removed by Ugandan Security forces.

A three day operation, led by the office of the Resident District Commissioner and the Uganda Police Force, has since seen over 16,000 Asylum seekers leave Bunagana town council, Kibaya, Rukundo town council, Nyarubuye and Busanza Sub counties.

Majority of the Congolese reluctantly made the decision to move to the Nyakabande Transit camp, some 12kms inland into Kisoro district after being firmly told their illegal stay along the border could no longer be entertained.

Distraught and still traumatized, some among them, decided that going back to their home country via Busanza (Mupaka border) to Rutshuru, just might be better than capitulating to a refugee status in another country.

Head count from the last two days indicates that some 9000 Congolese have since moved back to their home country.

North Kivu, is known to host a number of Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs) in Rutshuru and Nyiragongo territories.

These camps, according to UNHCR Global Focus report, still face significant challenges including ethnic conflicts, human rights violations by both the official government forces and the various armed groups, extortions, sexual violence, and illegal arrests.

Kisoro Resident District Commissioner Hajji Shafiq Sekandi says, the directive to forcefully evict the Congolese from Bunagana, Kibaya land and places peripheral to the border with Eastern DRC was long overdue.

According to Sekandi, matching orders from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Security guaranteed that the evacuations were peaceful, humane and well-coordinated.

The Refugee act of 2016 states that an alien, foreigner fleeing from Political instability from his or her own country, shall not remain 50kms close to the border he or she is fleeing.

“The fact that our brothers and sisters from DR Congo remained encamped so close to the border for this long, was a sign of patience and true diplomacy by our Government which is working closely with the Congolese Government to ensure that these issues of International importance are resolved peacefully and amicable, Sekandi explained.

Sekandi explained that the Nyakabande Transit and Holding camp continue to provide much needed services to the asylum seekers who are treated with dignity and respect.

“We are aware a number of Congolese are still living among the local population, many are renting while others are still being sheltered by in-laws and friends, we are saying that it is illegal to keep a Congolese in your homes, if you are caught, you too will be brought before the authorities, Sekandi explained.

Bunagana Mayor Ismail Ndayambaje says the evictions have re-affirmed Government’s commitment to the people of Bunagana, who feared their cries had fallen on deaf ears.

Ndayambaje called for more Government support in terms of access to livelihood activities, environmental restoration and rehabilitation of Schools and latrines that have been worn out by the massive Congolese presence in the small town.

EJVM Fact finding debunks Social media Reports  

Recent social media reports, prompted a 13 man team from the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Member States to investigate claims of abuse towards the asylum seekers in Kisoro.

What should have turned out to be a fiery engagement instead turned out as a ‘pat on the back’ opportunity for Kisoro RDC Hajji Shafiq Sekandi.

The team offered praise the Kisoro RDC for remaining level headed and a firm believer in a diplomatic approach in times when emotional sentiments and war propaganda is being rife.

Kibaya land primed for Development

Kibaya land, 620 acres located in Rukundo Town Council, Kisoro District has been serving as a temporary land for dwelling for the Congolese Asylum seekers for the last six months but not anymore.

Back in 2021, the land was handed over to the Uganda Investment Authority, following a district council resolution to have used as an industrial park.

Plans by Government to have a Kigezi Investment Summit later this month had to be stopped because of a large presence of Congolese, who neither belonged to DR Congo nor Uganda.

With the evictions going on as planned, the Investment summit is bound to reignite a spark of business in Bunagana town council, which for the last six months, can be described as a dead sleepy town, speaking business strictly.