NORTHERN PROVINCE

GATUNA — The forth and  so far the largest group of 383 Rwandans from Nakivale, Oruchinga and Kyaka II refugee settlement camps in western Uganda, returned home on Thursday through Gatuna border post.

The latest returnees arrived at the border in two groups aboard four buses and three minibuses, including two trucks transporting their luggage.

The first convoy of two buses arrived at Gatuna border post at 2.p.m, carrying 267 returnees from Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee camps, while the second convoy arrived an hour later, in two buses followed by the trucks, carrying 116 from Kyaka II refugee camp.

The returnees were received at Gatuna border by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), National Council for Refugees and Gicumbi District officials.

From the border, they were transported to Rukomo transit camp located 30 km from Gatuna, from where they were screened and given accommodation and food rations.

"After screening, the returnees will be given three months food rations plus other household needs before transporting them to their respective districts, to enable them integrate in the Rwandan society,” said Francoise Uwanyirigira, from the National Council for Refugees.

Talking to The New Times, a UNHCR officer William Chemaly, who accompanied the returnees from Uganda, said many Rwandan refugees living in western Uganda are willing to be voluntarily repatriated.

"We shall continue transporting Rwandan refugees back to their homeland through Gatuna border every Tuesday and Thursday, because majority of them are willing to return home,” said Chemaly.

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