Ishasha
Congolese women, who fled to Uganda to escape the fighting between Laurent Nkunda’s rebel forces and DR Congo government forces, are accusing Ugandan men along the border of sexually harassing them.
It is alleged that the men in Ishasa, Kanungu District have taken advantage of the vulnerability of the Congolese women to raid their temporary shelter at night and rape them.
One of the victims, identified as Jeanette Mukankusi in her early 30’s said lately she has been staying awake all night to wade off some unruly men who frequent her place of abode.
“Our coming to Uganda was to seek refuge but not to be abused so we would rather go back to our country,” she told Daily Monitor.
She said some of their children, as young as ten years haven’t been spared either. The RDC, Mr Ben Rullonga, however, denied any alleged sexual harassment saying that he has not received such reports. He appealed to whoever has got credible information to forward it to him so that the perpetrators can be apprehended and punished.
UNHCR Public Affairs Officer Roberta Russo also denied any knowledge of the incident when Daily Monitor reached her, although she said there have been reports of sexual harassment by the Laurent Nkunda’s rebels within DRC. “Ideally we would be in the know if it was a phenomenon,” she said.
So far, Ms Russo said, 1,000 refugees have been transported from Ishasha to Nakivale refugee camp, in Isingiro District. Kisoro is still playing host to 7,000 refugees. According to UNHCR estimates, 400 refugees arrive every day into Uganda.
Some of the refugees however are resisting the relocation, citing poor handling by UNCHR, a claim that was denied by Ms Russo.
“We are in the process of asking for more funds for water and sanitation facilities,” she said.
Over 600 people mainly women and children who entered Uganda through the border point of Ishasha since Wednesday last week were temporary sheltered at Ishasha Primary School.
Whereas some have gone to Nakivale, a certain section has opted to stay behind, which according to Mr Rullonga is very dangerous.
Mr Rullonga said not all of the people who crossed the border accepted to go the refuge Camp in Isingiro and some of them have resorted to live with their friends and relative in Uganda, which is very dangerous.
Source: www.monitor.co.ug
