Tanzania returnees resettled

By Abdulkarim Ssengendo

Over 5,000 Ugandan returnees recently expelled from Tanzania have been relocated to Sango Bay in Rakai district
awaiting permanent resettlement.

The exercise, led by offi cers from the Office of the Prime Minister, started on Sunday and ended on Tuesday. The returnees, who were expelled from Tanzania in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2013, had camped at Kikagate, a Uganda- Tanzania border post in Isingiro district.

Vincent Wagoya, the principal disaster management officer in Office of the Prime Minister, said the returnees were being relocated because Kikagate is water-logged and the Government feared an outbreak of diseases in the camp.

During the relocation exercise, a number of people from Orukinga refugee camp tried to infi ltrate the group, but were weeded out by the authorities.

At Sango Bay, the returnees were further screened before being given food and other basic requirements. Wagoya said they would stay at Sango Bay for at least three months until the Government finds a permanent solution for them.

He said the sick returnees were treated before they were relocated to Sango Bay. About 25 cows and 150 goats were also vaccinated before being taken to Sango Bay.

Recently, officials at Kikagate border immigration office said most of the children at Kitagate had not been vaccinated while in Tanzania. Wagoya said they would work with the Ministry of Health to ensure that they are immunised.

Kikagate sub-county chairperson Silver Muhairwe Mugurutsi accused some of the returnees of indiscipline and raiding gardens for food. He commended the Government for relocating the returnees to Kikagate sub-county.