Congolese refugees who were intercepted in Moroto district on May 19th heading to Kenya have staged a hunger strike, vowing not to eat until the authorities allow them to proceed to Kakuma refugee camp in North Western Kenya.
The group, currently staying in the Moroto Police Child and Family Protection Unit, says it is better to stay hungry than eat food before they reach their destination. Nyarubwa Rwanle, the group team leader, says they have overstayed in police custody and want to move before they use up their transport fare in Moroto.
"We came here with about UGX 700,000 but the daily expenses are exhausting the money. We don't know our fate yet police has kept us locked here as if we are criminals," Nyarubwa said. Willian Lochodo, the Moroto District Probation Officer, says it took him more than one hour to convince the refugees to eat something on Tuesday.
He says that whenever he visits the refugees, they only ask him when they are leaving for Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Irene Achieng, the Karamoja Police Spokesperson, declined to comment on the matter, saying she needed to consult her bosses. She promised to get back to Howwebiz shortly with their position on the matter in vain.
Richard Aruk Maruk, the Mt Moroto Region Police Commander, says the refugees will be taken back to Nakivale settlement camp in Kibaale district where they started their journey from. He says the decision was reached following discussions with different stakeholders including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees-UNHCR.
Rocco Nuri, the UNHCR Communications Officer, told this website that they are consulting with other authorities to see how best to help the refugees. "We became aware of the situation of the Congolese refugees in Moroto. We are coordinating with other authorities to solve the matter in the interest of the refugees," Nuri told said.
The Congolese refugees include twelve minors.
