Highlights - There is a decreasing trend of Burundian individuals seeking refuge in Uganda.
During the reporting period, a total of 72 individuals, majority of them males, as has been the trend with Burundian new arrivals, were received in Nakivale. This is lower than last week’s 80 and the previous week’s 83 individuals.
Fleeing Burundi’s provinces of Cibitoke, Gitega, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura rural, Ngozi, Muyinga, Rumonge, Kirundo and Karusi, the new arrivals entered through the traditional border entry points of Mirama Hills (43), Mutukula (10) and Katuna (19).
They still report violence and human rights abuses including looting, abduction of youths and forced conscription into militia ranks, and arbitrary murders as reasons for fleeing.
The new arrivals report challenges leaving Burundi as borders, especially at Rwanda and Burundi crossing points are usually closed by militia groups who demand for money before they can allow asylum seekers through.
While the Burundi government on the other hand continues to encourage citizens not to leave the country, claiming that it is peaceful.
Operational Context
In Nakivale, 270 individuals (91 Congolese, 173 Burundians and 6 Rwandans) are currently residing at Kabazana Reception Centre according to the joint OPM, UNHCR and American Refugee Council (ARC) weekly physical head count. Kabazana Reception Centre can accommodate up to 338 individuals. This is down from the 472 individuals reported previously. The decrease in the number of residents at the reception centre is because the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) relocated some new arrivals to their plots.
In Nakivale, installation of solar at the reception centre is on-going to provide lighting for the residents and reduce risks of GBV and other protection related cases. The reception centre shelters are currently being supported with generator power to temporarily provide lighting.
In Kyaka II, a total of 330 individuals (51 Burundians, 276 Congolese, two male Rwandans and one Ethiopian who is an asylum seeker) are residing at the Sweswe Reception Centre, over its 231-person capacity. The Congolese new arrivals report renewed fighting between DRC forces and rebel groups as the reason for flight.