At least 85 people from South Sudan came to Uganda yesterday looking for safety. They crossed the border at Busia because fighting had started again back home. Tensions have grown between the two leaders during the past five days. President Salva Kiir claims that Vice President Riek Machar tried to take over the government.
Reports say officials arrested Machar and put him under house arrest. These problems forced many South Sudanese citizens to run away, mainly women with their children. Local authorities in Koboko welcomed the newcomers. Emmy Mitala, the residence district commissioner, and Ashraf Mambo, the LC V chairperson, helped receive them.
Mitala confirmed that these refugees had arrived but refused to share more details. The police spokesman for West Nile, Collins Asea, said security teams closed the Busia border crossing. They stopped all Ugandans from going to South Sudan for farming, animal grazing, or collecting forest materials. The area sits under PLA-IO control, making it a target for both the South Sudan Army and UPDF forces.
Ugandan intelligence teams watch the border areas closely as the situation remains dangerous. Many fear that refugee numbers might double soon if problems continue in South Sudan. Uganda already takes care of more than 1500 refugees from South Sudan and Congo. These people live across several districts, including Koboko, Yumbe, Terego, Obongi, Adjumani, and Madi Okollo. The new arrivals may make things harder for these areas.
Reports say officials arrested Machar and put him under house arrest. These problems forced many South Sudanese citizens to run away, mainly women with their children. Local authorities in Koboko welcomed the newcomers. Emmy Mitala, the residence district commissioner, and Ashraf Mambo, the LC V chairperson, helped receive them.
Mitala confirmed that these refugees had arrived but refused to share more details. The police spokesman for West Nile, Collins Asea, said security teams closed the Busia border crossing. They stopped all Ugandans from going to South Sudan for farming, animal grazing, or collecting forest materials. The area sits under PLA-IO control, making it a target for both the South Sudan Army and UPDF forces.
Ugandan intelligence teams watch the border areas closely as the situation remains dangerous. Many fear that refugee numbers might double soon if problems continue in South Sudan. Uganda already takes care of more than 1500 refugees from South Sudan and Congo. These people live across several districts, including Koboko, Yumbe, Terego, Obongi, Adjumani, and Madi Okollo. The new arrivals may make things harder for these areas.
