Hellen Mukiibi
25 October 2007
Kampala — THE number of Congolese seeking refuge in Uganda following fighting in North Kivu reached 12,000 yesterday. Over the past few days, about 800 Congolese have crossed into Uganda daily, according to United Nations.
The latest clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo have driven 33,000 more people from villages in North Kivu province.
The fighting pits the army against renegade troops loyal to General Laurent Nkunda, who claimed to be protecting the minority Tutsi population.
A total of 8,000 Congolese who fled North Kivu into Uganda last weekend remained at Bunagana border point where some are living with Ugandan relatives and friends.
Roberta Russo, a spokesperson of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kampala, said more refugees were moving to Nyakabande Reception Centre in Kisoro, 20km from Bunagana where relief items were distributed.
She said several humanitarian agencies such as World Food Programme, UNICEF, and the Ugandan Red Cross, had supplemented the aid from the UNHCR.
By yesterday, the centre had registered 3,850 people. Of these, 90 who wanted to settle in Uganda, will be shifted to Nakivale Settlement camp in Isingiro district. Nine communal shelters are in place for the refugees.
"MSF France is providing medical assistance and vaccinating children under five. No more cases of cholera have been identified.
"MSF and UNICEF have also set up mobile latrines and a system for garbage collection," UNHCR said in a statement yesterday.
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