🔊 Refugee leaders told to root out rebel recruiters

YUMBE - A security team led by Lt. Gen. Taban Amin, deputy director of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) in charge of West Nile, DR Congo, and South Sudan, has urged leaders in the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe district to prevent any rebel recruitment activities within the settlement by individuals who seek refuge in Uganda.

He tasked local authorities with identifying those who may have crossed into the settlement with illegal firearms and reporting them to the relevant authorities.

Captain Mathew Bangirana, the regional internal security officer for West Nile, challenged the leadership in the settlement to detect elements among the refugee population who may be rebels.

Bangirana appealed to settlement leaders to be vigilant and monitor individuals who may be plotting recruitment activities.



Godfrey Aviiri, deputy settlement commandant for Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, explained that when rebels cross into Uganda, they often do not identify themselves as such.

Aviiri confirmed that three years ago, several M23 rebels from North Kivu were brought into the settlement. While many of them eventually returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a few remain.

He said that about 72 M23 rebels who had initially sought refuge in Ugandan settlements have since returned to North Kivu in DR Congo, though some elderly individuals have remained behind.



Aviiri noted that Bidibidi Refugee Settlement is the second-largest refugee settlement in the world, housing a population of 207,236 refugees—99% of whom are South Sudanese, with a small number of Congolese nationals.

Hafizu Luwambo, assistant settlement commandant for Bidibidi, stated that the structured leadership framework in the settlement, from village to sub-county level, has helped reduce crime and manage conflicts.