In the evening of Monday the 18 December 2017, the district of Kanungu, Kisoro and Bundibugyo in Western Uganda, were highly congested with Congolese refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo fleeing violence. That week was characterised by two major developments: the unexpected surge of arrivals to Kyangwalli Settlement through the Lake Albert route and the arrival of Congolese refugees to Kyaka II settlement. Rwamwanja settlement which used to receive Congolese refugees entering through South west Uganda has since reached its full capacity. 11,435 Congolese new arrivals have been received in Uganda since 1st December 2017. The largest majority entered through Nteko and Bunagana border points in Kisoro with smaller numbers crossing through Ishasha, Kyeshero and Butogta border points in Kanungu, Mpondwe in Kasese and Lake Albert in Bulisa district. The new arrivals through Kisoro, Kanungu and Kasese are taken to KyakaII while those entering trough Lake Albert are taken to Kyangwli settlement.
Since children constitute the majority, temporary schools need to be urgently established for the provision of safe child spaces, early childhood development and primary education before school resumes in February. In Kyaka II and Kyangwali’s extension site of Malembo settlements, refugees lacked adequate sanitation facilities such as communal latrines for the new arrivals. 232 persons with special needs (PSNs) including 114 un-accompanied minors and separated children (UASC) have been identified, and also people with disabilities (PWD), survivors of SGBV as experienced in Congo and on transit to the country of refuge, and other vulnerabilities, need to be identified and addressed. The new entry points lack adequate shelter for persons with special needs more vulnerabilities.
The ACT Uganda forum through LWF and Finn Church Aid(FCA) is planning on submitting a funding proposal to provide water facilities, shelter kit and Non-food items to ensure that the conflict affected persons’ basic needs are met with regards to ensuring the new arrivals’ dignified lives and within the humanitarian standards.
