Kampala — FRESH unrest in the eastern Congolese province of North Kivu has forced over 10,000 people to flee to the border district of Kisoro.

The thousands who have been arriving in Uganda's south western border district were fleeing a riot between the Congolese locals and the UN peacekeeping forces (Monuc).

"Approximately 10,000 of people have been coming in from the Congolese side fleeing renewed violence there but district authorities and aid organisations are trying to find a solution for them," said Deputy Army spokesman Lt Tabaro Kiconco who is in charge of western Uganda. Refugees told of villagers hurling rocks at UN troops and some said they feared that the situation would further deteriorate, said Mr David Masereka, the resident district commissioner of Kisoro, which sits along the border with the Congo.

"The influx began yesterday morning and continues up to now, Mr Masereka said. According to a news release from the UN refugee agency, the refugees said, "they are fleeing insecurity caused by the militias organised by General Nkunda, in Rutshuru area."

"A joint team from the Office of the Prime Minister, the World Food Programme and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) left Mbarara (South West Uganda) yesterday morning to verify reports of an influx on an estimated 10,000 Congolese refugees.