allAfrica.com: East Africa: Five Ugandan Officials Arrested for Aiding Rwandan Refugees Flee Camps
Robert Mugabe
7 June 2009
Isingiro — The Ugandan government has arrested five local officials of Isingiro district near Nakivale camp, in connection with aiding Rwandan refugees flee camps.
Uganda's Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Prof. Tarcis Kabwegere confirmed the development.
"We have arrested some and investigations are continuing, and we are following it closely," Kabwegere.
The move has come after returnees accused Ugandan local leaders for aiding refugees with documents to mingle with the community as citizens for fear of repatriation.
The refugees paid as much as 200,000 Ugandan shillings for documents describing them as Ugandans to avoid repatriation.
According to the returnees, the fear of repatriation is caused by fear of Justice since some were involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Lyantonde, Mubende and Kiboga districts, and as far as Karagwe in northern Tanzania, have been cited as the areas where most of the fleeing refugees are heading for.
However, Minister Kabwegere declined to give a full detailsd of the situation but referred this paper to the Ugandan police for the details.
When contacted, Uganda police spokes person, Judith Nabakooba, promised to give details after inquiring with the western police authorities. We could however not get her later as she was reportedly in a meeting.
Rwanda's Minister of Local Government, Protais Musoni, said that government supports the rule of law.
"Obviously, as you know our country is based on the rule of law, so we support Uganda's move," Musoni said. He also revealed that following the repatriated refugees who came from Kyangware camps, more are requesting to be repatriated.
"We are working with our counterparts who are Uganda, UNHCR and others. The exercise is progressing, we are expecting others (returning refugees) next week," Musoni said.
The arrests have come when Rwanda, UNHCR and Uganda are to meet again about the repatriation exercise.
allAfrica.com: Uganda: Ugandan Gay Sues UK Over Deportation
3 June 2009
Kampala — THE British government is facing legal action after it forcibly deported a gay Ugandan asylum-seeker when his case was still under review.
John Bosco Nyombi is now seeking damages from the government after British judges ruled that his removal was "manifestly unlawful" and ordered his return.
Speaking for the first time since arriving back in the UK, Nyombi told The Independent newspaper: "The last year has been torture. I've never done anything wrong and what the Home Office did was illegal. All the things I went through are because of them." The 38-year-old first fled to Britain in 2001, claiming that being gay put his life in danger in Uganda.
His case was still under review when on September 18, 2008 he was taken by four security men and bundled on to a flight to Entebbe Airport.
When he tried to resist and asked for a lawyer, the British officers allegedly dragged him by the handcuffs and struck him in the groin and shoulder.
Just two days earlier, Nyombi's face had been on the front page of a Ugandan newspaper "outing" him as a homosexual and reporting on his fight to stay in the UK.
"Within moments of his arrival in Kampala, he was abandoned by the British officers, leaving him to be interrogated by border Police who had seen the article," the British media said.
"He managed to escape a first arrest after paying a bribe. He then endured six months in hiding before the Home Secretary secured his release, getting caught twice and put into prison where he was violently beaten by both staff and inmates for his sexuality."
Nyombi, who was known as "Mr X" while his lawyers fought to take him back to the UK, is back in Southampton staying with a friend. Once his immigration papers come through, his old job as a caretaker in a local nursing home is waiting for him.
allAfrica.com: Uganda: Bunyoro Calls for Migration Guidelines
Ismael Kasooha
1 June 2009
Kampala — Bunyoro Kingdom wants the Government to formulate a migration and settlement policy to reduce the number of migrants into the kingdom.
The prime minister, Yabezi Kiiza, said the Government had failed to regulate resettlement in the kingdom, which was straining the limited resources.
"The population in Kibaale district is 550,000, with a growth rate of 5.2% per year, yet the country's growth rate is 3.2%. This figure must be checked," Kiiza said.
He added that residents were facing a food shortage. Kiiza was on Tuesday speaking at the handover of Isunga Health Centre III at Kyanaisoke sub-county in Kibaale district.
He said the problem started during colonial times when the British gave Buganda large chunks of land in Bunyoro. The British were rewarding the Baganda for supporting them during Omukama Kabalega's resistance to colonial rule.
Kiiza said the Government started the Kagadi-Rutete Settlement Scheme in 1973, which saw the relocation of the Bakiga from Kigezi sub-region to Bunyoro.
He added that about 3,000 Bakiga, who were evicted from Mpokya in Kabarole district, also migrated to the Kisiita Resettlement Scheme. Kiiza said there were no rules governing the scheme, adding that the population of the district had doubled since the 1990s.
He said private property like royal tombs were being taken over by migrants because of the loopholes in the system. Kiiza assured the residents that the kingdom would not evict people, but wanted to safeguard its property.
allAfrica.com: East Africa: Ugandan Officials Under Probe in Rwandan Refugees' ScamIgnatius Ssuuna And Sam Nkurunziza
19 May 2009
Kigali — Several Ugandan local leaders are being investigated for allegedly soliciting bribes from Rwandan refugees not willing to be repatriated, The NewTimes has learnt.
The Ugandan government launched the investigation days after local leaders in some districts were accused by the returning refugees of soliciting bribes in exchange for documents identifying them as Ugandans.
A Resident District Commissioner (RDC) who requested not to be named told this newspaper yesterday that leaders under probe are those in districts and counties.
"These are just opportunists. They look at this repatriation exercise as a fertile ground to get free money from miserable people," the RDC said.
Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, Uganda's Minister for Disaster Preparedness also confirmed the development in a telephone interview yesterday.
"These leaders are just greedy. We shall arrest all of them," Kabwegyere said, adding that leaders should be honest, credible and straightforward.
The Rwandan refugees in Nakivale Settlement Camp claimed they bribed local authorities in Isingiro District in Western Uganda to avoid the ongoing repatriation.
"Instead of advising them (refugees) to go back home, corrupt-minded leaders are taking advantage of the situation," Kabwegyere said.
He threatened that tough administrative measures will be taken against local officials found responsible for giving Rwandan refugees forged documents. Those given documents are said to be escaping the camps and settling in other areas of the country.
"The leaders are scaring them about their country and they end up running away," Kabwegyere said. He appealed to the refugees to honour the repatriation exercise.
Over 20,000 Rwandan refugees have been residing in Nakivale Camp after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Their repatriation was agreed upon in a tripartite meeting that brought together both governments of Uganda and Rwanda with the UNHCR and the consensus was to have all the refugees repatriated by July this year.
Refugees claim that the local leaders demand about Ushs200,000 to obtain an LC letter confirming they are Ugandans.
The exercise has seen hundreds of refugees return home.
allAfrica.com: Uganda: Parliament Passes Dual Citizenship LawHenry Mukasa and Catherine Bekunda
17 May 2009
Kampala — PARLIAMENT has finally passed a law that provides for dual citizenship. The new law, however, prohibits holders of dual citizenship from serving in key political and security offices.
The new legislation, the 2008 Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Bill, only awaits the President's signature to become operational.
If signed, it would be welcomed by Ugandans in the Diaspora who have been asking for dual citizenship for years.
At the fore-front of this request were the Ugandan North American Association and the Gwanga Mujje group, which organise annual conventions in the US.
Former internal minister Ruhakana Rugunda last year assured Ugandans in the Diaspora that the law would be enacted.
"The dual citizenship and permanent resident status are meant to re-establish full citizenship of Ugandans living abroad and facilitate their entry and exit from the country by removing immigration barriers," Rugunda told a meeting in Merryland in the US.
On Thursday, the defence and internal affairs committee presented a report to Parliament after which the MPs passed the law with amendments.
"Many of our people in the Diaspora have lost citizenship due to lack of an enabling law providing for dual citizenship. This Bill intends to give such people opportunity to regain Ugandan citizenship," Mathias Kasamba, the committee's chairman, noted.
"The legislation will also give citizenship to none-Ugandan nationals who are making enormous contribution to our nation, and would wish to attain Ugandan citizenship."
Positions which people with dual citizenship cannot hold include the Presidency, the Prime Minister, ministers, the Inspector General of Government, the head of the armed forces or commanding officers.
They can also not head the Police, any of the intelligence organisations or departments responsible for records, personnel and logistics in all branches of the armed forces. Matsiko Kabakumba, the former government chief whip, said the Bill was a response to the public outcry for dual citizenship.
"A citizen of Uganda of 18 years and above who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of a country other than Uganda may retain citizenship of Uganda," the new law states.
However, there are a number of requirements to become a Ugandan citizen. Applicants must not be engaged in espionage against Uganda or have served in the armed forces of countries at war or hostile to Uganda. They need to have a clean criminal record and should not be bankrupt.
The applicant must also be above 18 years, be of sound mind, and hold only one other citizenship from a country which permits dual citizenship. In addition, non-Ugandans must prove that they are not being deported from any country and are not under a death sentence or imprisonment exceeding nine months.
They must also have been resident in Uganda for over 20 years, and for 24 months running just before the application. The applicants must know at least one prescribed Ugandan language, English or Swahili.
Additionally, the applicants should possess "substantial amounts of money lawfully acquired and be willing to take the oath of allegiance".
Okello Okello (UPC) said he was not convinced that the country stands to gain from dual citizenship. "I don't believe one has to be a citizen to invest in a country. The big known investments here are by non-citizens," he observed.
Charles Angiro (Independent) expressed concern that Uganda would see an influx of citizenship-seeking foreigners. "One million Chinese or a quarter of Rwandan nationals may apply for Ugandan citizenship arguing that they helped liberate Uganda in the Luwero triangle war," he noted.
Beatrice Anywar (FDC) argued that Ugandans living abroad should come back proudly as Ugandans without any conditions.
"In the North, where we have had war, people left the country for different reasons. That means they are at the mercy of those making the law."
Alex Ndezi (NRM) warned against "monetising" citizenship.
allAfrica.com: Uganda: Refugees Leave Camps Fearing Repatriation
14 May 2009
Kampala — Some 20 Rwandan refugees a day are fleeing camps in neighbouring Uganda for localities further inland, fearing imminent repatriation, officials said.
"They [the refugees] are trying to mingle with local communities but we have been returning them to the camp," Poly Namayi, southwestern Uganda police spokesperson, told IRIN.
Namayi said some refugees had been arrested in Isingiro district. Others were crossing into neighbouring Lyantonde, Mubende and Kiboga districts, and as far as Karagwe in northern Tanzania.
At least 20 refugees have been leaving the Nakivale refugee settlement daily in the last week, according to police records. Nakivale is home to about 11,000 Rwandan refugees, most of whom fled to Uganda after the 1994 genocide.
A senior police officer said some refugees were selling their belongings as they prepared to leave the camps before the 31 July repatriation deadline set by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Ugandan government.
According to UNHCR communications officer, Carolyne Akello, the agency is investigating the cases of the fleeing refugees.
"The UNHCR continues to assist and encourage Rwandan refugees in Uganda to seize this opportunity and return to their country; however, the exercise is voluntary. We shall devise means of dealing with those who are not willing to be repatriated after July 31, when the exercise closes," Akello said, adding that UNHCR was still providing aid to the refugees in the camps.
We shall devise means of dealing with those who are not willing to be repatriated after July 31, when the exercise closes
"The government of Uganda and UNHCR will undertake to find a durable solution in case of [a] residual caseload."
Since April, the Rwandan and Ugandan governments, with UNHCR, have been conducting sensitisation campaigns to encourage returns.
The first batch of 80 returnees is expected to leave Uganda on 19 May, said Innocent Ngango, the head of refugee repatriation in the Rwanda's local government ministry.
Gacaca fears
However, Ngango noted that some elements in the refugee camps were discouraging their counterparts from returning to Rwanda for fear of being prosecuted for genocide-related crimes.
A lack of understanding of the workings of the Rwandan traditional court system, the Gacaca, is contributing to the refugees' reluctance to return home, Denis Bikesha, the head of mobilisation in the courts, told IRIN earlier.
At present, Uganda is hosting about 20,000 Rwandan refugees half of whom have in the past been opposed to repatriation, according to camp officials.
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
allAfrica.com: Rwanda: Refugees Safe to Come Back Home
13 May 2009
editorial
Kigali — Today we report of 80 refugees who have returned from Uganda. This is a welcome move, which should be followed by the remaining thousands, who are based at the two camps of Nakivale and Nshungerezi.
The tripartite agreement between the governments of Rwanda, Uganda and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to repatriate the refugees who fled Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, was long overdue.
Enough resources from the partners will ensure a smooth repatriation process, in terms of transporting people, and getting them home to safety.
We have witnessed with the demobilized former FDLR rebels; who have returned home, are now safe, but have also started to live decent lives in their communities.
Those churning out propaganda to the Uganda based refugees have gone on a malicious campaign claiming that should these men and women return they will face retribution.
The question to ask is for what? Rwanda is in the 15th Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi period, in which examples of unity and reconciliation are in abundance.
Survivor, stands by perpetrator both telling their story. Those stuck in history are missing great opportunities of being part of the country's nation building efforts.
Sadly, by remaining outside of the current thinking and mood in the country, ironically, they also pose a major threat to the above ideals.
This is why the Rwandan government and the rest of the East African Community should adopt a zero tolerance for these people.
The way they are forcing citizens to flee from one regional country to another is just not on, and must be stopped. The few responsible are known, and these are just a bunch of criminals who otherwise were involved in the Genocide and cannot face the reality of justice.
So instead of running on their own, they would rather carry on a smear campaign, blackmailing innocent citizens to remain out of the country.
The sensitization drive by all concerned parties should really focus on the benefits of being home than being stuck in life of the camps. Those 80 who have returned should also spread word to those still in fear outside, that there is no place like home.
allAfrica.com: East Africa: Rwandan Refugees in Uganda Flee Camps
Robert Mugabe
12 May 2009
Nakivale — Some Rwandan refugees living in Nakivale and Nshungerezi camps in Uganda, are fleeing the camps to escape being repatriated back home, The New Times has learnt.
The refugees have been living in Uganda since the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The development unfolds after a recent tripartite announcement by the governments of Uganda, Rwanda and the UNHCR, the UN body that settled them in Nakivale Refugee Settlement Camp, jointly announced that there was no reason they should continue staying in Uganda when there is stability in Rwanda.
But upon hearing the repatriation news, the refugees reportedly started vanishing from the camps escaping to other districts.
When contacted yesterday, Local Government Minister, Protais Musoni, confirmed the development.
"We have heard these claims that refugees are vanishing from the camps to unknown places. We hear some are running towards Kasese District in Western Uganda," Musoni said. He added that some refugees were claiming to be Congolese.
"But we are also getting calls from those who want to come back home voluntarily," added Minister Musoni.
Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, Ugandan Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness told The New Times in a telephone interview yesterday, that authorities in Kampala had arrested some refugees who were trying escape.
"We are investigating the matter. We are sensitizing and telling them why it's important for them to return home. Rwanda is a stable country," Kabwegyere explained.
According to Kabwegyere, some refugees were escaping to neighbouring Tanzania. He also said some refugees were frustrating the repatriation exercise by discouraging their colleagues not to return home.
"Many are willing to go back home," Kabwegyere revealed.
The Rwanda and Ugandan governments agreed to repatriate all refugees living in Uganda by July 30, 2009.
Minister Musoni said Kigali was expecting about 30 refugees at Gatuna border yesterday.
The New Times could not by press time independently verify claims that some Ugandan local officials were helping refugees escape.
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