UNHCR saddened by the loss of life in road accident in Uganda

KAMPALA, Uganda -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is deeply saddened at the death of two refugee children in a traffic accident near Ibanda District this morning.

A convoy of 11 buses was transporting 837 Congolese refugees from Kisoro reception centre in Western Uganda to Kyaka ll refugee settlement in Kyegegwa District when one of the buses veered off the road and overturned. Two children aged four and eight are confirmed to have died on the spot while 34 other passengers sustained injuries.

“We wish to convey our thoughts and prayers to the affected families,” said Hassan Dabar, UNHCR Senior Field Coordinator in Mbarara, who was at the scene of the accident. “UNHCR and its partners stand ready to provide all possible medical care and support to the refugees who are affected by the accident.”

Initial reports indicate that the bus driver lost control when he swerved to avoid a boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) trying to overtake on the wrong side of the road. The bus was carrying 76 refugees.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UNHCR, Medical Teams International (MTI) and local police, immediately rushed refugees who had minor injuries to Ruhoko Health Centre in Ibanda District. Nine of them were taken to Mbarara Referral Hospital with serious injuries.

“It is heart-breaking for refugees who came to Uganda in search of safety to perish in a tragic road accident,” UNHCR Representative, Joel Boutroue said from Arua. “This was supposed to be the new chapter of a better life for two young children after fleeing conflict and violence in their home country.” Boutroue conveyed his sympathies to the affected families.

Since January this year, over 77,000 Congolese who fled violence in their homes and villages have sought refuge in Uganda mainly through Lake Albert and Kisoro. UNHCR is assisting the Government to respond to the influx, including through organizing convoys to transport refugees from border areas to Kyaka II and Kyangwali refugee settlements.

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