Joy and Jubilation as Kenyan Refugees Return from Uganda

A total of 750 Kenyan refugees were repatriated from Kiryadongo refugee settlement camp where they have been living since the 2007/2008 post election violence.

Their buses crossed the Malaba border at 4pm Tuesday, signifying the end of their 7-year stay in Uganda.

The 750 Kenyan refugees were transported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) buses up to Malaba border town at Malaba clinic, where they are still camping before they leave for their homes.

For some, emotional reunions with their relatives marked their day but others they have nowhere to call home.

Most of them have expressed fear about returning to their previous homes where they were evicted at the height of the post election violence.

The Ugandan Government had issued a directive for the repatriation of the about 4000 Kenyan refugees who fled to Uganda after the 2007 post election violence, 1350 were yet to return.

The second batch will be repatriated, on the 10th of this month.

By Tom Omulo.