The authorities at the Panyadoli refugee settlement center in Kiryandongo district have decried the increasing number of refugees escaping from the camps.
Emmanuel Turyagenda, the commandant of the Panyadoli settlement area, said on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, while addressing the media, that some refugees have escaped and abandoned their children within the settlement area.
He adds that this has continued to cause a significant burden to the settlement management.
Accordingly, the area authority now intends to cancel the refugee status of such individuals in an attempt to regulate their movements from the settlement area to their home countries.
Turyagenda further stated that they are unable to stop these movements, highlighting the desperation many of them face.
Panyadoli refugee camp offers various support services like healthcare, vocational training, food security programs, and community support.
Uganda has been recognized for its open-door policy towards refugees, offering them rights and opportunities for self-reliance despite increasing challenges due to economic pressures and the influx of asylum seekers.