The Monitor (Kampala)

03/11/07

RESIDENTS of Kanyashande and Kihembe in Kanyantoro Sub county, and Kyabugwa in Butogota Sub County in Kanungu are living in fear of attacks. "They fear that the Interahamwe from DRC who have been sited in the area recently could attack," the 2 nd Division army publicist Lt Tabaaro Kiconco has said.

He said the build up of Interahamwe has been going on due to fighting by the forces of Gen Laurent Nkunda against the government forces in the DR Congo. He said on Thursday that last year the Interahamwe invaded Uganda from Congo in the same villages and looted shops in Kabingo and Karukara trading centres and also looted drugs from Kihembe Health Unit worth Shs1.5million before fleeing back to Congo.

"The same situation might happen again but we have deployed our soldiers who are ready for them should the situation deteriorate," he said. He warned the Interahamwe that this time they would not go away with it and cautioned Ugandans to be on the look out and report any negative elements to the authorities.

Meanwhile the humanitarian situation in Nyakabande transit camp Kisoro District is still wanting as refugees from DRC continue to pour into Uganda. Refugees are currently faced with sanitation problems, food, water and shelter.

Aid agencies involved in distribution of humanitarian aid cannot handle the situation adequately due to continued influx of the refugees. Local residents say some of these people are still in villages and have not reported to the reception centre for any assistance.

The Monitor