Photo: UNHCR F. Noy

Illegal immigrants invade Tanzania.

Bukoba — A FRESH wave of aliens from neighbouring countries have invaded Kyerwa District in Kagera Region, calling for urgent government intervention.

The Kyerwa District Commissioner, Mr Benedict Kitenga, told the 'Daily News' in an exclusive interview that hundreds of illegal immigrants had recently invaded the district.

"The situation is becoming worse as more Burundians were entering the country illegally. For quite a long time there were illegal immigrants from Rwanda and Uganda, but now we are seeing a fresh influx from Burundi," he said.

According to Mr Kitenga, some unfaithful village leaders colluded with aliens by selling them land, causing disputes between Tanzanians and the aliens. The most affected Ward was Kibingo, which shares borders with Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, he said.

Kagera Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Fabian Massawe, revealed that there were over 35,000 illegal immigrants who were discovered hiding in villages. He said the aliens included refugees from Rwanda who remained in the country. He also said the aliens entered the country with big numbers of unvaccinated livestock, causing a security risk in Karagwe, Biharamulo, Kyerwa, Ngara and Muleba districts.

Authorities in Kagera Region have appealed for enough funds to enable them to deport hundreds of aliens hiding in various villages, it has been disclosed.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, accompanied by Deputy Minister Mr Aggrey Mwanri and Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements, Mr Goodluck ole-Medeye, recently toured Karagwe and Kyerwa districts to assess the situation.

Adressing residents of Nyakasimbi Ward, last week, Minister Nchimbi appealed for calm assuring the residents that the government was aware of the problem and necessary steps were being taken to address the problem. Anna Mary Gideon (47), Sarapion Chonaboine (65) and Jasson Aligawesa (53), appealed for urgent government intervention as hundreds of Rwandese had recently entered the Ward and were given land by greedy village leaders.