All Rwandan refugees in Uganda will be repatriated and integrated by July 31 this year, officials from both countries have agreed.

There are about 20,000 Rwandan refugees who are spread in the two camps of Nakivale and Nshungerezi and the decision to have them repatriated was reached during a visit by officials from both countries and the UNHCR to the camps that are based in South Western Uganda.

Speaking from Mbarara, Uganda yesterday by phone, Local Government Minister, Protais Musoni revealed that the refugees at both camps requested to be repatriated as soon as possible.

"Mainly the youth and women are in need of repatriation and many are still coming here at the meeting venue showing their interest of coming back to Rwanda as soon as possible,” Musoni revealed.

The two-day meeting that started Tuesday attracted representatives of the UNHCR and officials from the Ugandan and Rwandan government.

Uganda’s Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Prof Tharcis Kabwegere led the Ugandan delegation which also included Uganda’s chief of Police and Isingiro District Commissioner.

"Minister Musoni and I visited the settlements on Tuesday, and many of them wanted to come by that time but because we were not prepared we could not accept immediate repatriation,” Prof Kabwegere said.

In a phone interview, Kabwegere said that all delegations unanimously agreed to carry out the repatriation as soon as possible.

According to Musoni, UNHCR has promised to work with both countries to repatriate the refugees to Rwanda starting from next week, if possible.

"We have agreed to carry out the activity and the district (Isingiro) is going to begin the mass mobilisation of the refugees,” Musoni added.

Also in the delegation was the officer in charge of mobilisation in Gacaca courts, Denis Bikesha, who said that the refugees were found with little knowledge about the Gacaca system making many reluctant to return home in fear of the semi-traditional courts.

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