Government to host more S.Sudan refugees
South Sudanese refugees register on arrival at Dzaipi Settlement Camp in Adjumani district. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO
ADJUMANI- Government will continue receiving refugees from South Sudan as long as the country remains unstable. Although the warring parties in the newest East African nation formed a transitional government recently, South Sudanese are still fleeing.
Mr Musa Ecweru, the Minister of state for disaster preparedness, relief and refugees, assured South Sudanese refugees living in Adjumani district that while other countries have stopped hosting refugees, Uganda will remain open to new arrivals.
“Much as the peace agreement is in place. We still have disturbing evidences and testimonies that the situation is still volatile in some parts of South Sudan,” Ecweru said.
He made the remarks while addressing the press in Adjumani town after concluding support supervision at Maaji III refugee settlement and Elegu reception centre.
The Minister assured the refugees that much as they fled through different routes and means, when normalcy returns to their country, Uganda will repatriate them in dignity.
Mr Simon Maluk, a South Sudanese who arrived on Tuesday at Nyumanzi refugee reception centre, said: “Uganda is our second home and my family is here because of constant tribal fights back home and we shall continue seeking peaceful settlement here.”
He said some of his relatives at home starved to death since the war has made farming almost impossible.
Adjumani District secretary for Finance Josephine Atoo said the district will work closely with various partners to provide better services for nationals and the refugees.
