Congo residents allegedly closes border with Uganda in Kisoro
Kisoro residents decry border closure with Congo
Tension is escalating among residents of Nkuringo Town
Council in Kisoro district following the abrupt closure of Nteko
Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border. This border links Kikobero, Nteko, Nyamikumbo, and
Bikokora
villages in Nkuringo town
council, where people cultivate crops on the Congolese side.
A group of individuals from the
Democratic Republic of Congo put a roadblock at the border, preventing Ugandan
residents from accessing and harvesting their crops in DRC and these affected
residents are grappling with starvation as they have been unable to reach their
gardens.
Atanazio Kajubwami, the Mayor of Nkuringo Town
Council, expresses concern over the prolonged closure of the border, now
exceeding five days. He notes that the livelihoods of Nkuringo town
council's residents depend on the crops they cultivate in the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
Abel Bizimana, the LCV Chairman of Kisoro District has
warned residents against crossing into DRC until the border dispute is
resolved. He emphasizes that anyone defying this caution might face the
consequences like being kidnapped in DRC.
Hajji
Badru Ssebyala, the
Resident District Commissioner of Kisoro, acknowledges the border's closure and
assures the public that his office is actively addressing the situation noting
that there is the ongoing communication with the government of Democratic
Republic of Congo to ascertain the reasons behind the border closure and how
this issue can be solved.
