Pastoralists stranded at Hoima camp

Oct 01, 2008

Thousands of pastoralists in Kyangwali sub-county, Hoima district have become homeless after their homes were torched by the refugee camp commandant.

By Amlan Tumusiime and Ismael Kasooha

Thousands of pastoralists in Kyangwali sub-county, Hoima district have become homeless after their homes were torched by the refugee camp commandant.

The pastoralists have been occupying part of the land for the Kyangwali refugee camp for the last seven years.

The families, especially women and children, are spending nights under trees with no shelter or blankets after losing all their property in the inferno.

The leader of the pastoralist community, Salongo Mukira, said they had not been told why their houses were burnt.

“I pleaded with the camp commandant who was with the head of Kasonga police post, to leave my house but he never listened. All my belongings were destroyed. I only picked one blanket which i use to cover my children under a tree,” said Mugabekazi, a mother of six.

She added that on Thursday morning, the camp commandant went to their home and ordered them to vacate the area.

When contacted, Fred Kiwanuka, the camp commandant, declined to comment, referring The New Vision to his superiors in Kampala.

Mzee Yowasi Kajwiga said some of their property had been stolen by the arsonists.

“This is the second time our homes are being burnt.” Wilson Byakatonda, a father of four, said he feared for their lives.

Over 20,000 people were affected, most being children and women. Efforts to contact the district police commander were futile.

The Hoima resident district commissioner, Martha Asiimwe, could not comment. She referred the matter to the camp commandant.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});