High refugee numbers straining Uganda's vegetation -officials

The high influx of Sudanese refugees into Uganda is creating a crisis that will see Uganda turn into a desert country due to the strain which is currently put on the country's vegetation and land, an official from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has revealed.

Charles Bafaki, a senior settlement officer and coordinator for refugees in the OPM last Thursday said that the country is facing risks of desertification in the West Nile region where so many trees are being cut down by the refugees for domestic use.

"We are hosting refugees generously with open arms but the world should know that there are risks involved, risks that can turn into a security matter if not contained in time. There is a risk of desertification and insecurity caused by food shortage," he said.

Bafaki noted that if according to the available statistics, each refugee household uses a minimum of one timber per day for domestic purposes, Uganda will be losing thousands of trees daily and in the long run, it will become a desert country.

He noted that government is also worried that it will soon reach a point where they will no longer be able to feed the huge number of refugees and it will lead to a state of lawlessness in the host communities.

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Uganda has a total of 1.27m refugees in the country with an average daily entry of 2,022 refugees. Out of these, 950,562 are from South Sudan, 218,981 from DR. Congo, 37,247from Burundi, 35,941 from Somalia and 34,745 from other countries.

They are being hosted in the 28 refugee settlements in the West Nile, Northern and Western Uganda.

As per the statistics, the total number of refugees in Adjumani district in the West Nile region, is more than the total number of citizens. The district has 224, 343 (57%) refugees while the citizens are only 168,917 (43%).

This is followed by Moyo district with a 54% refugee population, Yumbe with 33%, Arua 19%, Isingiro 18%, Kiryandongo 16%, Lamwo 15%, Kamwenge 14%, Hoima and Kyegegwa 7% each.

Bidibidi settlement in Yumbe which was closed in December 2016, hosts 272,707 South Sudanese refugees, a number believed by experts to be the highest in the whole world. Palorinya settlement in Moyo district was also closed in December 2016 after it hit its maximum capacity of 135,000 refugees.

Esther Kiragu, the UNHCR assistant representative in charge of protection noted that Uganda has one of the world's most compassionate refugee policies which grant refugees land to build a home and enjoy rights to travel and work.

She stated that unlike other countries where refugees are received, registered and put in camps, in Uganda refugees live alongside communities with rights of movement and work.

"We do not want this model that's outstanding and most relevant in the world today to be overwhelmed by the numbers. It's no longer a problem for one nation but an international problem," she stated.

She told New Vision that the land in West Nile is now overstrained by the unprecedented numbers that they are finding it hard give the original portions as before and can no longer sustain the system.

Nuri Rocco, the communications officer UNHCR said that originally they were giving 50×50 to each refugee family to set up a house and 30×30 for farming per family, but they can no longer do it.

These remarks were made during a media breakfast meeting at Imperial Royale Hotel organized by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and UNHCR. The meeting which was held under the theme ‘Uganda Refugee Model: the real issues' was organized in preparation of the world refugee day which will take place on June 20 and the Refugee solidarity summit due on June 22.

Nahor Oyaa, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Adjumani district concurs with UNHCR statistics and stated that though the numbers are overwhelming, there district is still peaceful.

He stated that out of the 10 sub-counties in the district, refugees are occupying five. The total land of the district is 3,128sqKms with 1,455sqKms arable. He noted that initially the refugees were being given 100×100 per refugee but because of the overwhelming numbers, they are currently being given 30×30 for only housing.

"In case they want to venture into farming, they have to negotiate with the locals. However, the locals in other sub counties are willing to host them because they feel that they might be able to rip economic benefits," he said.

Jesca Ababiku, the woman Member of Parliament for Adjumani noted that the district still has land and four sub-counties are willing to offer their land to refugees. These include Paphara, Cisoro, Dzaipi and Icirik.

"The areas were even surveyed and we are wondering why OPM is not allowing refugees to settle yet all the procedures were followed," she said.

Though the locals are willing, the two district leaders revealed that a small storm of discontent is rising among the locals especially in regards to land. Though communally owned, some of the land lords who were promised modern houses and money in exchange for their land, are angry because the promises have not been fulfilled.

Bafaki noted that the refugee issue is a time bomb that is waiting to explode if the international community does not come to the country's aid.

He noted that cracks in the medical sector, education sector, housing and food are beginning to show in the West Nile region.

"We have these challenges with us and whoever can do something about it should do it and they should do it because 1.2m people is not something one country can carry. Why should we stagger with the load when you can remove a bit and carry? It's a time to remind our friends from the international community to please support us on this cause," he said.