Kampala, Uganda – March 26, 2025
More than 31,000 Congolese nationals have fled ongoing violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since January and are now seeking refuge in neighboring Uganda, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).Frank Walusimbi, the spokesperson for UNHCR Uganda, confirmed the development during a phone interview with Xinhua.
He stated that the refugees, mostly women and children, are entering Uganda through the Kisoro border district, escaping intense fighting in their home country.
“We have received them, mostly women and children. They continue to arrive because the fighting has not ended,” said Walusimbi,
highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.Due to logistical challenges, the refugees are currently being accommodated at transit centers, including the Nyakabande Transit Center in southwestern Uganda. However, the center is stretched beyond its capacity.
Jason Hepps, Deputy Representative of UNHCR Uganda, shared the dire situation in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. “Thousands of Congolese people continue to arrive daily, overwhelming the Nyakabande Transit Center near the DRC border,” he said.Hepps further revealed the heartbreaking experiences recounted by women fleeing the violence. “Women are telling heart-wrenching stories of violence, sexual violence, and other harrowing experiences from their journey.
”The Ugandan government has maintained an open-border policy, continuing its long-standing tradition of hosting refugees.
However, the strain on infrastructure and resources is growing.“We need to improve water, sanitation, and health services, all of which are overwhelmed by the 7,000 people currently at Nyakabande Transit Center, about five times its capacity,” Hepps said.According to the UNHCR, Uganda is currently home to approximately 1.8 million refugees, primarily from the DRC, South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.The UNHCR and Ugandan authorities are calling for urgent international support to help manage the influx and provide the necessary humanitarian aid to the refugees.
