2,000 Sudanese cross into Uganda to seek water

Jan 17, 2006 (KAMPALA) — Almost 2,000 people of the Teposa Group in southern Sudan have crossed the border and are reported to be encroaching on Kidepo Valley National Park in northern Uganda with over 60,000 domestic animals, reported Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Radio on Tuesday.

Sudanese refugees arriving at Kyangwali settlement in Uganda after being displaced from their original camp in Achol Pii.

The Teposa encroachers are reported to have entered 15 km inside the park early December last year and by January 5, they had not vacated despite efforts by the Uganda Wildlife Authorities (UWA) to push them out.

UWA public relations manager Lillian Nsubuga was quoted as saying that the encroachers entered with 40,000 heads of cattle, 2, 000 goats, 10,000 sheep and 5,000 donkeys in search of water.

Nsubuga said that the chief warden of Kidepo Valley National Park Kuloao Okwongo met with the Sudanese commissioner on January 12 to discuss the matter.

On January 13, the Sudanese commissioner visited the encroachers kraals to convince them leave the park, because there are many water bodies outside to feed their animals, but up to now they have not left, the report added.

(Xinhua)