On Sunday, two lorries arrived in Morobo from Busi in Uganda, carrying returnees who fled recent insecurity caused by clashes between the two armed groups in Panyume Boma.
Morobo County Commissioner, Charles Data Bullen, said Ugandan authorities have tightened security at the Busia border as civilians fled. Measures include registering some individuals and relocating them to refugee camps to prevent insecurity and weapons from crossing the border.
“On Sunday, two lorries brought people from Uganda into South Sudan. They are now in Morobo County, taking shelter in churches,” said Data. The commissioner did not specify the exact number of those who returned.
The deteriorating situation in refugee camps, worsened by funding cuts that have crippled support for refugees, has prompted many to voluntarily return to Morobo.
Since April, thousands have been displaced from Waimba, Yiongu, Kendila, and Kanja. Data said Uganda’s initiative to resettle South Sudanese refugees, especially from the Panyume border area, into camps prompted many to return voluntarily.
“The Ugandan government launched an initiative to prevent South Sudanese who cross from Panyume into Uganda from settling near the border. They believe this could allow insecurity from South Sudan to spill into Uganda,” Bullen explained to Sudan Post.
“So, they want to move people to camps. Now, the Ugandan government is relocating them to camps, but many have decided voluntarily not to go. Instead, they want to return home,” the commissioner added.
Data noted that the returnees’ decision has also encouraged other refugees in Uganda to return voluntarily to prepare their homes and farms, despite the insecurity caused by the presence of the SPLA-IO and the National Salvation Front (NAS).
However, the situation in the churches hosting returnees is alarming due to the high number of people and limited resources to support their stay.
In response, the Central Equatoria State government donated three tons of flour and packets of salt to those displaced and those who fled to Busia.
The Morobo County commissioner called on the government, well-wishers, and non-governmental organisations to support the displaced and returnees, enabling them to resettle and rebuild their livelihoods.
