The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), through the Office of the Prime Minister, is seeking land to establish a new refugee settlement in Nyakabande Sub-county, Kisoro District.
Rodger Gnepa, head of the UNHCR Sub-Office in Mbarara and also in charge of the Nyakabande Transit Centre, said the move is in response to the increasing influx of refugees fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Gnepa noted that while efforts are underway to address the crisis, the commission is facing several challenges, including limited resources and recent policy changes by the United States government that have impacted funding. He added that UNHCR has initiated discussions with Kisoro District leaders to explore options for acquiring more land for refugee settlement due to the growing numbers.
Douglas Asiimwe, the Assistant Commissioner for Refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister, welcomed UNHCR’s collaboration with district leadership on land acquisition. He highlighted that Uganda has received over 63,000 refugees since January, with more than 27,000 arriving through the Nyakabande Transit Centre, which is located near the DRC border and serves as a key entry point.
“As of now, Kisoro receives an average of 400 to 700 refugees daily,” Asiimwe said, adding that the Nyakabande Transit Centre is currently overcrowded, hosting over 6,000 asylum seekers—well above its intended capacity.
Kisoro District LC5 Chairperson, Abel Bizimana Zulupayi, confirmed receiving a formal request from UNHCR and the Office of the Prime Minister seeking land to accommodate the increasing number of refugees. He stated that the matter has been discussed with the district executive committee and forwarded to the full council for consideration.
CUE IN BIZIMANA……ON THE LETTER……RR//
Bizimana also appealed to UNHCR and the Office of the Prime Minister to support the construction of a theater and maternity ward at Nyakabande Health Centre III, noting that the facility serves many refugees in need of healthcare.
CUE IN BIZIMANA……ON HEALTH CENTRE…….RR//
