The Monitor
By Felix Basiime
June 21, 2004
MBARARA- Third Deputy Prime Minister, Lt Gen Moses Ali, has explained that the government supports peace talks between the SPLA and the Sudan government to resolve the refugee problem in the region.
"The region continues to face mass displacement of people due to internal conflicts. There is hope that some of the worst conflicts in the region will be resolved soon," Ali said in a speech read for him by state minister Christine Aporu on World Refugee Day on Friday.
The national celebrations were held at Oruchinga refugee settlement in Isingiro South. Ali, who is also the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, regretted that efforts to solve the crisis had met hurdles due to conflicts in DR Congo.
"Unfortunately, these developments continue to be marred by continued conflict and mass displacement of people in Eastern DRC. This has led to continued influx of refugees into Uganda," he said.
Last week, about 8,000 Congolese stormed Uganda in Kisoro district after the RCD Goma militia went on rampage and looted food items from locals in DRC and Kisoro. He attacked politicians for encroaching on land for refugee settlement.
"My ministry has learnt of the mass encroachment on a number of refugee settlements in Oruchinga, Nakivale and Rwamwanja in the South West, " Ali said.
He said a national development programme for refugee settlement areas was in the offing. The minister added that Government was in the process of adopting the framework of Development Assistance for Refugees to help host districts.
The function was attended by UNHCR country representative Ms Cynthia Burns, World Food Programme and Red Cross officials, civic and political leaders.
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