By Johnson Kanyesige
More than 7,000 Congolese nationals, mainly women, children, and the elderly, have fled ongoing conflict in their home country and entered Kikuube District in Uganda. These new arrivals reached Kikuube between Friday and Sunday last week, seeking refuge from violence caused by various militia groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The refugees, originating from areas such as Joo, Datule, Kafe, Nyamamba, Tchomia, Muvaramu, and Kasenyi in Bunia District, Ituri Province in Eastern DRC, are crossing into Uganda through Lake Albert using boats. Each day, between 10 and 15 boats ferry refugees to Kikuube, where they are received and registered at the Songa landing site in Buhuka Parish, Kyangwali Sub- County.
The new arrivals bring the total number of Congolese refugees in Kikuube to 8,500, following 1,500 people who arrived between Tuesday and Thursday last week.
Reginald Ngamita, the Buhuka Parish LCII Chairperson, shared with our reporter that the area is overwhelmed by the large number of refugees arriving daily. He explained that after registration at the Songa immigration office, refugees are transported to the Sebigoro Reception Centre in Kabwoya Sub- County.
However, many refugees have already dispersed into nearby communities in the landing sites of Kyakapere, Sunzu, Kyabasambo, and Songa. While some refugees have set up makeshift shelters for accommodation, many are sleeping outdoors, under trees, or in churches.
Gilbert Kisembo, a resident of Songa landing site, raised concerns about the refugees’ presence, pointing out that the lack of thorough screening poses a significant health and security threat. He expressed concerns about the refugees freely mixing with local communities.
Vincent Alpha Opio, the Kikuube LCV Vice-Chairperson, explained that the district is working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure that all refugees are properly registered and transported to the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement Area for better management.
However, Topheus Chail, the Settlement Commandant at Kyangwali, could not be reached for comment as her phone was switched off by press time. This recent influx is part of a long-standing trend of Congolese refugees fleeing violence in the Eastern DRC.
Since December 2017, thousands of refugees have crossed into Uganda, particularly after tribal clashes between the Lendu and Bagegere communities in the region.
