Kisoro residents blamed for influx of illegal immigrants

Locals in Kisoro District have been blamed for the ever increasing influx of illegal immigrants from the DR Congo and Rwanda. District leaders argue that their influx is one of the causes of crimes increased crime rates in communities.

Elias Nuwagaba, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, said there crimes such as theft of motorcycles and murder are on increase. He said communities in Kisoro harbor immigrants without the knowledge of the local leaders and  some of them (immigrants) even start travelling to and from other parts of Uganda.

His comments come following the recent deportation of over 150 Rwandans and Congolese who lacked travel documents from their countries of origin.

They were arrested at Nyakabande Police check point as they travelled to different places like Kampala, Mubende, Kiboga in Baby Coach and horizon buses.

Speaking to Muramba sub-county locals at Maziba Village, Bunagana Parish in Kisoro District, Nuwagaba said there's need for vigilance in communities so that they report any suspicious individuals to avoid occurrence of crimes.

"Their respective countries have their laws which they follow; they should first seek proper travel documents before they come. We recently arrested illegal immigrants and some shall soon be arraigned in courts," he stated, adding:

"There shall be an operation against foreigners operating in Kisoro without work permits. It's not allowed for someone to operate from a foreign place without a work permit."

However, a local who spoke to New Vision on condition of anonymity along Kyanika border post said, there are about 10 motorcycle riders who help in carrying illegal immigrants using the porous borders.