Masindi — Over 2000 Kenyan refugees have begun a new life in central Uganda, months after the Kenyan crisis ended but Ugandan and aid agencies say international rules do not permit asking them to leave the country.

The refugees have been relocated from Mulanda transit camp in Tororo District to Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Masindi District.

The Kenyan High Commission has meanwhile protested the relocations but the Prime Minister's Office has said their protest came after the process of relocation had begun.

The Uganda government is providing land for housing and accomadation to the refugees. About 730 families in total have each been given a plot measuring 100 by 50 metres according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

According to UNHCR publicist Roberta Rosso, the land is meant for a house and crop production. Most of the refugees are from the Kikuyu ethnic tribe who fled the December violence following the contested re-election of President Mwai Kibaki.