20100621
africanews

Over 3,000 Sudanese refugees in Imvepi and Rhino camps in Arua district, Uganda, have refused to return home, a refugees desk officer who pleaded anonymity told AfricaNews on Sunday.

The refugees were sceptical of the future of their country and refused to go home because of the services in terms of health that Uganda provides. Some are on antiretroviral drugs, while others have children going to Ugandan schools,” he said.

“They are not willing to go back home. Some fear that Sudan is not safe until after the 2011 referendum, which will determine the destiny of their country,” he said.

Although refugee repatriation begun in 2005, to date, they are still encouraging them to return home voluntarily, many more refugees entered Uganda from the border town of Ariwara from Urutshuru in the eastern DR Congo early last month.

In addition, some refugees decided to stay because they were born in Uganda and do not know their land.