Lugbaru Elders’ Institution Condemns the Killing of Refugees in Rhino Camp

 Lugbaru elders’ intuition in Arua town, Uganda has strongly condemned the action of the Ugandan host communities in Tika zone Rhino camp refugees settlement in Madi Okollo District to fight the refugees, something that has led to the death of ten refugees, loss of properties, and displacement of many other refugees who fled from the camp for fear of violence.

 The Lugbaru elders’ culture minister John Laku during a press briefing on Friday, September 18, questioned the office of the prime minister, local government, and UNHCR why Lugbaru cultural institution has not been involved in sensitizing the two communities from South Sudan and Ugandans on their cultures and need for peaceful co-existence.

 “Without dialogue, discussion and coming together as stakeholders in this affairs, the proposed relocation of refugees will still not mean anything because, if the people down there are not sensitized, not given the guidelines on how to live peacefully with others, the same thing that happened at Rhino Camp can happen anywhere else these refugees are relocated,” John Laku explained.

 He further explained that the Sudanese refugees have their culture and their own unique ways of doing things, this might conflict the cultures of the host communities in Uganda among whom these refugees live. It is therefore very important to have people who are liaison officers and mediators between the refugees and the host communities to help the situation.

 Mr. Laku pleaded for urgent harmonization of the two cultures saying there is a need for collaboration between the local chiefs, Lugbaru Culture Institute, UNHCR, and the refugees desk office in rising awareness on peaceful co-existence between the refugees and the local host communities.

 Ms. Martha Tiko the minister for finance at the Lugbaru cultural institution on her part claimed that they have not been involved in the refugees’ issues. She, therefore, appealed to UNHCR, Local Government, and the office of the prime minister to call for a meeting immediately so that the issue can be settle once and for all. She also implored those who have lost their relatives to be calmed and t patiently as the issue is being solved.

By Gaaniko Samson Jerry