25th May, 2018
At least nine South Sudanese refugees have been arrested for leading riots and damaging humanitarian agencies equipment in the North-western district of Arua, Police said in a statement on Friday.
They led the riot over an alleged delay of food ration supply in the area.
Josephine Angucia, West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, said the suspects mobilised fellow refugees to riot, damage and steal humanitarian agencies data equipment at Omugo Refugee Settlement.
“They alleged failure to provide relief food items for the last one month,’’ Angucia said.
According to her, the refugees broke into the stores of United Nations World Food Programme stores, stealing food items, wheelbarrows, hoes, slashers, three computers, tarpaulin and spray cans.
“When police swung into action, the riots were stopped.
“Nine suspects were arrested and detained at Yoro base camp police station pending transfer to Arua CPS (Central Police Station).’’
At least 11 wheelbarrows, 11 hoes, nine slashes, some electric items and computer accessories have been recovered, according to the police.
“Refugees are advised to use proper channels of sharing their grievances through their leaders to the concerned authorities instead of taking the law into their hands.
“When some continue to misbehave and not abide by our laws and procedures, they will be arrested and prosecuted according to Ugandan laws,’’ the police spokesman said.
In October 2017, South Sudan refugees at Nyumanzi Refugee Settlement, in the neighbouring district of Adjumani which hosts over 20,000 people, protested over the delayed food supply.
In 2017, WFP announced a food aid cut by 50 per cent to hundreds of thousands of refugees in the East African country due to financial constraints.