Uganda’s Commissioner of Refugees David Kazungu has declared the nation’s government “worried” over the high number of refugees coming from neighbouring war-ravaged countries.
Over 234,000 refugees have entered Uganda; some 65 per cent have just crossed from Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
“Many Congolese refugees have crossed into Uganda in recent days following fighting between rebel groups. Their arrival has left the government and humanitarian agencies struggling to meet the refugees’ needs amidst funding challenges.
“The situation is very dire. It’s overwhelming… given the massive arrivals of these refugees, and sudden number of this nature, in an area with very limited preparedness to extend humanitarian assistance,” he said.
Mr Kazungu sounded the concern during the official commissioning of offices for the Department of Refugees in Kampala.
State minister for relief and disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru said they also face a challenge of land grabbing in areas gazetted for refugee settlement.
“The land government allocated to help settle the refugees when they come into the country in most areas has been either encroached on or grabbed by the locals. So this leaves the ministry with lack of adequate land to settle the incoming refugees,” revealed the minister.
He said the refugee department lacks the necessary infrastructure to support the huge influx of the current scale, adding: “The villages were empty. They didn’t have any facilities. We are putting up water systems, sanitation, shelter, education, health facilities and providing food which is all at a cost.”
Ecweru appealed for financial assistance from donors and the international community to support the influx of refugees, saying: “The international community and donors have a responsibility to help Uganda share this burden.”
