UNHCR Requests Land in Kisoro for Permanent Settlement Centre

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has written to Kisoro district local government requesting land for the establishment of a permanent refugee settlement centre. 

Currently, Kisoro district hosts refugees, most of them from war-troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at Nyakabande reception centre in Nyakabande sub-county, before they are transferred to settlement centres in Nakivale, Rwamwanja and Kwangwali. 

Rodger Gnepa, the Head of the UNHCR  in-charge Sub-Office in Mbarara and the officer in charge of the Nyakabande reception centre, says that the request is in response to the increasing number of refugees fleeing conflict in DR Congo. 

Gnepa says that the influx has made UNHCR face a crisis of space to accommodate them both at the reception centre and in camps. He also says that with the reduced funding due to new policies from the United States government, UNHCR is struggling to finance the resources to cater for refugees.

He says that once the district provides land for the establishment of a permanent settlement centre, it will help UNHCR to reduce its expenses.   

Douglas Asiimwe, Assistant Commissioner for refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister, says that the Nyakabande reception centre currently has over 6,000  refugees, yet it is supposed to accommodate only 1,000. He says daily, an average of between 400 -700 refugees cross to Uganda through the Bunagana border. 

Abel Bizimana, Kisoro District LCV Chairman, says that his office has already received a copy of the letter. Bizimana, however, says district council executive members want UNHCR to first provide funds for relocating Nyakabande sub-county headquarters and constructing new structures in another area before discussing providing them land.