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Kisoro district registers fresh influx of Congolese refugees

Newly arrived Congolese refugees at the Nyakabande Transit Centre in the southwestern Uganda district of Kisoro. File Photo

Kisoro, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kisoro district has recorded a fresh influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are fleeing insecurity in the South Kivu province.

Kisoro Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Shafique Ssekandi Ssengoba says that the new group of refugees are fleeing South Kivu province due to inter-tribal clashes mostly between militia groups of Mai Mai, Nyatura, Twirwaneho, Interahamwe and Lendu among others.

Ssekandi says that on average, between 30-50 refugees from South Kivu cross to Kisoro from Bunagana and Busanza borders on a daily basis. He says that they mostly flee from near the DRC-Burundi border and the DRC-Zambia border.

Ssekandi however says that the number is manageable compared to the thousands of refugees who used to cross from Rutshuru territory fleeing fighting between the M23 rebels and government troops.

Pauline Irene Abina, the acting refugees desk officer in the western region says that the new refugees will be accommodated at the Nyakabande transit centre for less than two weeks for screening before they are taken to the refugee camps.

Kisoro district authorities are currently removing all refugees from the Nyakabande trading centre to the Nakivale refugee camp in Isingiro district. Those who defy the relocation have been asked to return to war troubled territory of Rutshuru.

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