UNHCR transfers 1,000 Congolese to Nakivale refugee settlement camp.

By Niwamanya Sophan

A total of 1000 Congolese refugees have today been transferred from Nyakabande transit center in Kisoro district to Nakivale refugee settlement camp.

On 29th last month, over 13,000 Congolese nationals reportedly fled to Uganda via Kisoro district following resumed fighting between suspected members of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and the Congolese government forces in Bwisha chiefdom in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province. 

According to the residents, heavy fighting erupted in the hills of Runyonyi and Tchanzu in Sabyino mountains of the Virunga ranges, about four kilometres to the Uganda-DR Congo border of Bunagana in Kisoro district around 4 am on Monday morning.

Now, according to the acting commissioner for refugees in the office of the prime minister Danglous Asiimwe they have started relocating refugees to Nakivale due to the fact that Nyakabande transit center is a small area and decongest the number.

Asiimwe says three convoys per week consisting of 15 to 16 buses will continue to take Congolese to Nakivale settlement camp in Isingiro district.

According to Asiimwe, the Government has various challenges of handling the refugees including land shortage in other settlement camps as well as financial constraints.

Some of the Congolese who spoke to our reporter said making the Choice to move inland into Uganda was not easy but necessary. Many vowed to return home when things return to normal.

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