South Sudanese Refugee Numbers Surge At Oraba Border
The number of South Sudanese refugees crossing into Uganda at Oraba border has continued to increase.
According to figures from the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, the numbers are now between1000-1500 every day.
Solomon Osakan, a Senior Settlement Officer in Arua tells KFM that there has been a shift in the type of people being received with more youth and men now being received compared to the passed shifts which were dominated by women and children.
He attributes this to recent attempts by military groups in South Sudan to recruit them into their ranks, forcing them to flee.
Meanwhile on the business front, traders at Oraba border in Koboko district dealing in foreign exchange are counting losses due to reduced business from South Sudan.
Speaking to KFM, one of the traders Chut Swali says because of the violence that broke out in July, Ugandan traders are no longer crossing into South Sudan, a situation that threatens to throw them out of business.
Relatedly, local leaders in Lamwo district have expressed fears over the growing number of South Sudanese refugees grossing into the country with their livestock. According to the District Veterinary Officer Dr Bosco Odong, they are concerned because most of these animals are brought into the country without scrutiny.
Dr. Odong says the livestock is not even vaccinated and it could lead out to disease outbreak.
Story by Benjamin Jumbe
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