A new wave of Sudanese refugees fleeing tribal clashes in southern Sudan are entering into Uganda through Kawalakol and Lonej in Dodoth country in Kotido district. The relationship between the Didinga and Dinka has increasingly deteriorated resulting into lose of many lives, destruction of houses and crops.

In May this year, about 500 refugees who entered from Kaabong were transferred to Gulu, Arua and Adjumani districts but most of them are still wandering in-search of proper areas for settlement. In August this year about 440 Sudanese arrived in Uganda and were settled in Achol-pii/Agago refugee camp in Kitgum district.

About 261 refugees arrived at Kaabong township with more reported to have camped at Kapedo reception center. Both tribes (Didinga and Dinka) are affected in this clash and are said to be entering Uganda through different points. In spite of the clash, they are also said to be under the pressure from the Khartoum government. Some refugees are also said to be heading towards Kenya boarder destined for the Kakuma refugee settlement camp.

According to Joseph Lokii, most of the refugees are from Lokutel and Chukudum in Southern Sudan. Big guns are said to have shelled civilian positions killing natives and destroying property. Looting of animals is a full time occupation and burying the dead is a very common phenomenon. The women are gang raped and later stabbed.

At Koboko in West Nile, about 40 refugees arrived on 8th September this year. Most of these refugees are from the Zande, Kakwa, Baka and Koliko tribes which had relocated to the Democratic Republic of Congo and taken refuge at the settlement camps of Rudu (I) and Rudu (II) where they had been since 1993.

SHRA learnt that they had traveled for 10 days on empty stomach and most of them had fallen sick on the way as a result of fatigue and the bites from tsetse flies and mosquitoes. They had survived on wild fruits, roots, leaves and dirty water.

The arrivals said that those who chose to cross to Uganda constituted 1/3 of the population in the settlements while the remaining 2/3 decided to cross back to Sudan. They said that the immediate cause for fleeing was the out break of famine in their settlement camps. They also narrated that they were tired of reprisal attacks on their camps. In August this year, 7 refugees are said to have been killed in cold blood during an attack while 16 others sustaining serious injuries.

These arrivals say, while in Congo their life was one of fear since the refugee settlement camps are always on attack by unknown people. The attackers thrive at the expense of refugees whose lives they terrorize and destroy as well as loot the property. They said they reported the violations to the relevant local authorities but no fruitful steps were being taken to address the problems. Violations inflicted on the refugees remain unresolved for lack of appropriate authorities to deal with them seriously.

In another development in the same month of August, some 7 families arrived in Koboko town from Wau in Northern Bar-el-ghazel.

They are said to have fled because of the worsening security situation that had also perpetuated famine due to the displacements. They complained that, the relief aid by the humanitarian agencies have not directly benefited the internally displaced. Relief items delivered through the government are diverted to the soldiers and then sold to the civilians who have cash. Those without money starve and that is what prompts them to flee and cross boarders.

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Situation of Human Rights in Sudan Remains Seriously Wanting

Situation of Refugees in D.R. Congo

New Wave of Refugee Influx in Uganda

10 years of the Convention of the Rights of the Child

Refugees Testify Experiences

Overview of SHRA's work, 1999 / SHRA Calendar of Events 2000