NORTHERN PROVINCE

GATUNA - A total of 33 Rwandan refugees were repatriated on Thursday from Cyangwari and Cyaka 11 refugees settlements in Uganda.

The returnees who comprised of 16 children, 13 women and 4 men were received through Gatuna border by United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and ministry of local government officials, at 2.30 pm.

The returnees were transported to Gicumbi transit camp located near Rukomo trading center, about 30 km from Gatuna border.

"Each returnee shall be supplied with food to last for three months, including household necessities to enable them settle in their respective Districts”, said a Ministry of local government official at the transit camp Mark Shakagabo.

Only one Rwandan refugee widow Laurence Mukangwije was repatriated from Cyaka 11, while the remaining 32 returnees came  in from Cyangwari refugee camps of Uganda respectively.

Mukangwije further said her two children were repatriated last month, while she remained behind because she was seriously sick.

"There are more Rwandan refugees still left behind who are engaged in  casual labour  in the villages surrounding Cyaka 11 camp. They are not yet registered for repatriation”, said Mukangwije.

She hails from Kabagali village of Ruhango District in the Southern Province.

Another returnee from Uganda’s Cyangwari refugee camp Aline Mukategera, also a mother of two children told The New Times that more Rwandan refugees had by time of her repatriation are scattered in the camp’s neighborhood in search of  different forms of livelihood.

They too are not yet registered for repatriation.  

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