As the war in South Sudan persists, many refugees fleeing the world’s youngest nation prefer to go to Uganda over other neighbouring countries, and understandably so.
Ugandan authorities in collaboration with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) offer the fleeing South Sudanese people better living conditions compared to other countries.
Refugees in the country are given little pieces of land, which they can farm for their subsistence use. Children who have fled into the country are also given an opportunity to continue with their education in the many schools that have been set up in the refugee regions.
It is for these reasons that as many as 800,000 South Sudanese refugees have fled into Uganda to escape the fighting in their country.
Now however, Uganda not only provides refuge for South Sudanese fleeing war, but also to Kenyan pastoralists seeking pastures for their livestock.
Following the devastating drought that has hit the East African region, the northeastern region of Kenya has dried up, causing deaths to numerous animals.
To save the remaining livestock, as many as 60,000 Kenyan pastoralists have moved to Uganda’s Karamjoa sub-region over the last seven days, in search of pasture.
There are however fears that the continued influx of refugees into Uganda will strain the countries resources. Ugandan authorities have warned that the mass exodus of the South Sudanese people fleeing into Uganda will put pressure on the country’s resources, and should be checked.
