Isingiro — REFUGEES in Uganda will be more protected than before under the new law, Uganda Human Rights Commission western region officer Neema Bagalaliwo has said.

Ms Bagalaliwo was on June 20 speaking as chief guest at the World Refugee Day at Nakivale refugee settlement camp in Bukanga county.

She said the new law is awaiting approval by the President. Among other things the law will allow refugees to settle anywhere in Uganda and have their rights protected and enjoy other benefits like any Ugandan but remain registered and monitored as refugees.

Ms Bagalaliwo told hundreds of refugees, "The new refugee law stipulates that your rights must be protected, the new law of this land gives you more protection than ever before. The managers here should get this law and interpret it for you so that you know your rights."

This year's theme was: A new home, a new life and most refugees carried placards showing that they appreciate the peace given to them in Uganda . "A new home, a new life, no more violence in our new homes" read one of the banners.

The Mbarara Refugee Desk Officer under the Office of the Prime Minister, Omondi Walter Wolver said the refugees will soon get loans from the government.

"Those who are idle and don't dig but want to do business like the Somalis have always demanded will access loans" Mr Omondi said. Nakivale settlement is host to Somalis, Ethiopians, Rwandese, Burundians and Sudanese refugees who are about 26,000 living in 36 villages of the camp.

Nakivale camp Welfare Officer III Jerome Rutagarama said safe water is scarce in the settlement despite having Lake Nakivale in their vicinity but has dirty waters.

The settlers and workers at the camp access only 100,000 litres water pumped each day.