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As South Sudan marks its 13th independence anniversary, South Sudanese refugees in Uganda's West Nile region are calling for peace in their home country.

Marked annually on July 9, the day reawakens the deep longing within many to return to a homeland devastated by a civil war that erupted in December 2013, just two years after hard-won independence, leaving many dreams unfulfilled.

Ahead of Tuesday's celebrations, South Sudanese refugees in Uganda shared their thoughts with New Vision about the significance of this day and their hopes for the realisation of the long-held dream of a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.

Imvepi Refugee Settlement

In Imvepi Refugee Settlement hosting over 80,000 in Terego district, the mood is one of excitement as the South Sudanese refugees prepare to celebrate their independence anniversary.

These refugees hold a hopeful optimism that they will one day return to their homeland, urging their leaders to embrace peaceful conflict resolution. They also call on the Ugandan government and other humanitarian partners to advocate for lasting peace in South Sudan.

Monday Rose, a 37-year-old South Sudanese residing in Imvepi's village six, passionately appeals to President Salva Kiir and other warring factions to resolve their long-standing differences.

Rose Monday, a South Sudanese refugee in Imvepi Refugee Settlement. (Courtesy)

"Our conditions in the settlements are not okay, and we are willing to go back to our country only if our leaders can heed to peaceful means as signed in the comprehensive peace agreement. We have learnt a lot of skills here, and we would like to take the knowledge back to our community members back home," Monday said.

Similarly, Julius Sala, another refugee, expressed gratitude to the Ugandan government for its open-door refugee policy but yearns to return home.

"We are very happy for the government of Uganda for hosting and welcoming us, but we are not happy to live in another country. Our appeal is for the government and partners to push our leaders to accept peace so that we can be able to return to our country," Sala said.

The refugee welfare council III vice chairperson of Imvepi Refugee Settlement, Winnie Lakop, emphasised the importance of initiatives aimed at fostering peace in South Sudan.

"We have millions of South Sudanese scattered in the different settlements in West Nile and across the country, and these are people who were forced due to disagreements between our leaders. Much as we are happy on Independence Day, we are not happy that we cannot have an opportunity to celebrate in our country," Lakop stated.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Terego, Emokol Onyango, advised the refugees to strive for economic independence within their households as they prepare to celebrate their country's independence.

Rhinocamp and Arua city

In both Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement and Arua city, South Sudanese leaders and community members have voiced significant challenges they face while living in Uganda.

Peter Gift, the refugee welfare council III chairman for Rhino Camp Settlement. (Courtesy0

Peter Gift, the Refugee Welfare Council III chairperson of Rhino Camp, who also serves as the overall representative of refugees in Uganda to the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, emphasises the minimal progress made back home. He urged South Sudanese leaders to heed the cries of their citizens living in the diaspora.

Makuar Diew, an urban refugee in Arua City, highlighted the dire situation many South Sudanese children face, as they are forced to drop out of school due to their parents' economic hardships.

"Many South Sudanese children are now school dropouts in a foreign land because their parents are not in a better economic position to keep them in school," Diew explained.

South Sudanese refugees continue to arrive in West Nile settlements as peace remains elusive back home.

Similarly, Stephen Dhoal Mathew, an urban refugee and refugee rights advocate in Arua City, pointed out that the primary challenge they encounter is economic hardship, a consequence of the political instability in South Sudan. He strongly believes that achieving peace is the crucial first step towards economic independence.

"Peace is the first step to achieving economic independence," Mathew stated, calling upon their leaders to listen to their pleas.

Koboko Municipality

Koboko Municipality is set to host the maiden Independence Day celebrations for South Sudanese on Tuesday, July 9.

The municipality is currently home to over 20,000 urban refugees, primarily from South Sudan, with some from the neighbouring DR Congo. This year’s festival promises to reflect the spirit of unity, friendship, and celebration.

South Sudanese refugees continue to arrive in West Nile settlements as peace remains elusive back home. (Courtesy)

Koboko Municipality Mayor Wilson Sanya urged the leadership and people of West Nile to participate in the celebrations. He explained that the day has been set aside to promote solidarity among the refugees and host communities, and to convey a message of hope, peace, and security for South Sudanese living in Koboko and beyond.

Sanya also noted that the municipality had discussions with the South Sudanese ambassador in Uganda to have the day celebrated in Koboko for the first time, primarily to bring a message of hope to school-going children.

Malish Bonjira, the executive director of the South Sudan Refugees Association (SSURA), appealed to South Sudanese refugees to embrace the day, stating that it is an opportunity to foster reconciliation among various ethnic groups.

He emphasised that impactful activities will be organised during the Independence Day celebrations.

Over the years, Koboko Municipality has made it a tradition to join refugees from South Sudan and the DR Congo in celebrating their independence days from neighbouring towns, aiming to enhance unity among the Kakwa of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda.