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Uganda: UNHCR Operational Update, July 2018

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Uganda
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UNHCR
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During the month of July 2018, 9,154 persons from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and other countries, arrived in Uganda—the majority from DRC. The humanitarian situation remains unpredictable in South Sudan, DRC and Burundi.

Refugees from South Sudan report fleeing primarily out of fear of being killed by fighters from either side of the conflict inside the country, while those from DRC report interethnic clashes and fears related to the upcoming elections.

Burundians indicate several reasons for leaving their country, such as forced participation in the lead up to the referendum.

Operational Highlight

UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Coordinator for Burundi Situation, Ms. Catherine Wiesner, visited Nakivale and Mirama Hills, border entry point used by Burundian new arrivals to enter Uganda. During her mission, Ms Wiesner met with OPM Commandant, received briefing of the continuous registration and Refugee Eligibility Committee (REC) process. She also met with Burundian refugee leaders to understand Refugee Response in relation to Burundians and visited some projects earmarked for both Burundian and refugees of other nationalities.

The Government of Uganda officially launched projects of the World Bank financed Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) in 05 districts in the West Nile region and in 03 districts in the South West region. The launches were led at high level by the First Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister, respectively, who were accompanied by the entire political and administrative leadership of the specific locations. UNHCR was represented by the Assistant Representative (Protection) and various staff from Kampala and the field offices.

As at the end of July, a total of 716,710 (49.6%) individuals were verified with verification complete in 07 settlements, namely Oruchinga, Lobule, Palabek, Imvepi, Nakivale, Rwamwanja and Kiryadongo. Verification was ongoing in 06 other settlements (Bidibidi, Kyangwali, Kyaka, Palorinya, Ajumani and Rhino) with verification in Kampala projected to commence in late August. A decrease has been registered in the daily processed numbers, mainly due to increased number of litigation cases, particularly family reunification cases, with an average of 60 % of the cases going through litigation desks.