KASESE (Uganda), April 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An influx of over 3,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), since April 3 has overwhelmed the authorities in Kasese district.
“The number we had on Monday morning has increased from 339 to more than 3,000,” Kasese Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Lt (Rtd) Jolly Joe Walusimbi said.
The refugees who comprise mostly women and children, have been fleeing into Kasese via Kitholu and Karambi sub-counties, Bukonzo West Constituency on the Uganda- DRC, following attacks by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.
The ADF are reportedly running from Operation Shujaa, the ongoing joint assault by Uganda and Congolese forces.
“I have reports that other Congolese refugees have started arriving in Bwesumbu, Busongora North Constituency, via the Rwenzori Mountains,” Walusimbi said.
The Congolese have been fleeing into Kasese following attacks by suspected ADF terrorists on their villages in north Kivu province.
On Sunday night, the rebels raided Masambu, Ngyingi and Bughumya villages, killing people.
The fleeing Congolese have been crossing via various porous border points and braving River Lhubiriha, which marks the border between Uganda and the DRC.
Sources in the affected Congolese areas said that the attackers had so far killed at least 30 civilians since the Sunday 10pm raids.
“The terrorists have looted homes, shops and burnt some houses,” a source said.
Other sources in Masambu said the rebels also killed a Congolese army commander at the rank of a captain in charge of Masambu military unit.
“Their (refugees) number is increasing daily,” Bwera division Police Commander SP Boniface Kinyera said.
“We shall provide them the necessary protection, but I pray the situation back home will normalise so they go back to normal life,” Kinyera said.
Local leaders in the host sub-counties have, however, said the refugees, now in two camps, were in dire need of food and beddings.
The RDC said the district had informed the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of the need for emergency support.
“Various humanitarian agencies, including the Uganda Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontiers and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are on ground,” Walusimbi said.
He said the UNHCR had provided energy biscuits and vehicles to help relocate the refugees to a safe place within Bukonzo west constituency.
Since their arrival on Monday morning, they have been temporarily housed at Kasingo and Kiraro Anglican and Catholic churches, respectively.
They were later relocated to Kisebere Primary School, Kanyatsi playground and Kanyatsi town council in Kitholhu sub-county. — NNN-AGENCIES