Imvepi leaders raise alarm over rebel recruitment fears

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Leaders in Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Terego district have appealed for continued security surveillance amidst alleged rebel recruitment activities by ex-combatants residing in the settlement.

The call was made during a familiarisation tour of refugee settlements in the West Nile sub-region, led by Lt. Gen. Taban Amin, deputy director of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) in charge of West Nile, DR Congo, and South Sudan.

Martin Koriang Naburi, the assistant settlement commandant of Imvepi, acknowledged that while the settlement remains largely peaceful, there are concerns that some ex-combatants may be considering a return to armed activity.



Solomon Denis Olila, the deputy settlement commandant, attributed the recent instability within the settlement to deteriorating living conditions, citing the reduction in food aid.



Olila also told the ISO deputy director that only nine police officers are deployed to oversee the security of more than 70,000 refugees, in addition to a significant host community population.

Ismail Mulikiriza, assistant protection officer at the Office of the Prime Minister in Imvepi, reported a continued influx of new arrivals from the border, many of whom are unaware of Ugandan laws.

Lt. Gen. Amin noted that the challenges in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement are similar to those in Imvepi. He urged authorities to encourage refugees to engage in farming as a way to mitigate food shortages.