At a district-level coordination meeting, Kisoro district authorities warned borderline communities against the illicit hosting of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Deputy Principal Chief Administrative Officer Dr. George Kwizera issued the warning in response to concerns raised by organizations assisting refugees at the Nyakabande transit center.
Judith Irene Kahunde, Emergency Program Coordinator with Alight, reported frequent complaints about the unregulated movement of refugees along the border. She urged local leaders to direct asylum seekers to the Nyakabande Transit Center to prevent challenges such as trafficking and abduction.
Kahunde also requested support from immigration and border managers at Chanika to curb the illegal importation of Congolese refugees through Rwanda. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) team leader in Kisoro, Jimmy Ogwang, advised asylum seekers and their hosts to adhere to the laws governing refugee hosting.
Mental Health, Gender Violence Major Concerns for Kisoro Refugees
The meeting also addressed serious health challenges among refugees in Kisoro, with mental health issues, including depression, being particularly prevalent. Judith Irene Kahunde noted that out of over 7,000 refugees received at the Nyakabande transit center this year, 320 were diagnosed with mental health problems.
Kahunde emphasized the rising incidence of gender-based violence among the refugee population. Jovia Uwamaria, in charge of Potter’s Village Health Centre III, reported an influx of refugees seeking medical attention at their facility. She noted difficulties in discharging patients who are unable to pay their bills.
Jimmy Ogwang of the UNHCR reiterated that refugees should not seek medical care from private facilities without the consent of Medical Teams International, which is responsible for their health. In serious cases, refugees are referred to Nyakabande Health Centre III and Kisoro Hospital.
The meeting concluded with a call for coordinated efforts to address these pressing issues, ensuring the well-being and proper management of both the local and refugee populations in Kisoro.
