DRC refugees return home

May 02, 2004

CONGOLESE refugees living in Uganda are now returning home voluntarily after an improvement in the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

By Fred Ouma and Emmy Allio

CONGOLESE refugees living in Uganda are now returning home voluntarily after an improvement in the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to an April 1 situation report by the Makerere University-based Refugee Law Project (RLP), repatriation had been informal with no involvement of the Ugandan authorities.

In March, the RLP team visited Karugutu, Rwebisengo and Ntoroko sub-counties in Bundibugyo district, which are epicentres of the refugee influx.

RLP reported that the refugees who wanted to go back to their country packed their belonging and left without informing the authorities in the area.

In late 2002, civil conflict in the DRC reached its peak forcing over 20,000 Congolese to immigrate into Uganda.

Early this year, security authorities in Uganda made efforts to repatriate the refugees to their country by trying to reconcile some of the warring militias in the DRC.

They organised peace talks between the Hema, Lendu and Ngiti commanders.

During the talks, a number of refugees expressed fear over returning to the DRC, saying it was not yet safe for them.

Others refused to go back saying the country had been badly affected during the war and that social amenities like schools and hospitals lacked in their home areas.

Their fear was worsened when some of the refugees who had voluntarily gone back returned to Uganda, saying the conditions in the DRC were bad.

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