Tribal clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have left hundreds of Congolese nationals flee into Uganda.
The refugees have entered Nebbi and Zombo districts where they share a common ancestry.
The Nebbi Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Christopher Omara, told journalists that clashes ensued between the Lendu against Alur and other neighbouring tribes.
The RDC added that the protracted tribal conflict intensified on Friday, last week, forcing more than 200 civilians to flee to Uganda, the following day.
“On Friday, a protracted conflict between the Lendu pitting other tribes including the Alur hiked and I was told that on Saturday, over 200 Congolese fled to Uganda but then they returned to their country. Only sick people have remained in neighboring villages,” the RDC told journalists.
Mr Omara said that some more of the Congolese nationals could have remained unnoticed in other villages.
However, he continued that the district prepares to contain the situation with the intervention of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
“We are not scared because these are people of same tribe and norms. But we have notified the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), to engage UNHCR” Mr. Omara disclosed.
The RDC said that what is most challenging is not fearing COVID-19 pandemic but factors associated with population increase.
“We fear cases of food shortage, diseases like Cholera, dysentery that emerge as a result of high population intensity” the RDC said.
Mr Omara said a group of youth had threatened the DRC immigration officers at Goli border point which led to closure of the check point.
“Trucks no longer enter DRC through Goli since its closure following the threats from the youth” he stated without clarifying the magnitude of the threats.
“The DRC immigration officers, in fear for their lives decided to close down the border up to date” Mr Omara stressed.
