By: Melanie Aanyu

The government has been urged to provide relief to about 8,000 people who have been displaced following attacks on Ntoroko District by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

The district chairperson, Mr William Kasoro, said in Bweramule Sub-county, which was attacked by the rebels, about 7,000 people have been displaced while another 1,000 are from neighbouring Butungama Sub-county and Kibuuku Town Council.

Mr Kasoro said most of the displaced persons are staying at Karugutu Health Centre IV, Kisenge Trading Centre, Rwamable Trading Centre, Kabibiri Trading Centre, Rwebisengo Town Council headquarters and Bweramule Health Centre III.

Mr Kahwa Onesmo, the internal security officer for Bweramule Sub-county, said 935 children below five years are among the displaced.

He said the villages with the most displaced persons are Kayaja 1, Kiringa, Kyobe, Kyapa, Bweramule, Kaitampara, Kyagabukama, Karugaju and Rukora A, B and C.

The latest fighting saw some residents, who had returned to their homes, go back to temporary camps. Residents have asked UPDF to consider deploying more soldiers in the area to enable them return to their homes.

The Ntoroko Resident District Commissioner, Maj (Rtd) Edward Jones Mugabirwe, acknowledged the security gaps and said the issue of deploying more soldiers would be looked into to see that people return to their homes.