Uganda: South Sudanese Refugees Arrested After Imvepi Riots

• Over 40 South Sudanese refugees have been arrested in Uganda's Terego District following violent riots at the Imvepi Refugee Settlement.
• The unrest, sparked by a dispute over Refugee Welfare Council elections, resulted in significant property damage to OPM, UNHCR, and police facilities, estimated in billions of shillings.
• Two refugees were killed by live ammunition used by security personnel during the clashes, with circumstances surrounding their deaths still under investigation.
• Those arrested are being investigated for serious charges including arson, attempted murder, causing bodily injuries to police officers, and malicious property damage.
• The incident underscores ongoing tensions in refugee settlements, despite the immediate trigger being an election dispute.

The unrest, sparked by a contentious dispute surrounding the upcoming Refugee Welfare Council (RWC) elections, initially scheduled for the following day.

A significant outbreak of violence recently rocked the Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Uganda, leading to widespread destruction and the tragic loss of life. The unrest, which began on a Tuesday, was sparked by a contentious dispute surrounding the upcoming Refugee Welfare Council (RWC) elections, initially scheduled for the following day. A group of South Sudanese refugees, advocating for candidate Loro Charles James, initiated a march toward the Imvepi Police Station. They carried placards, demanding the cancellation of the elections unless their preferred candidate was included on the ballot paper.

The demonstration quickly escalated into a violent confrontation. Protesters reportedly began stoning police officers and proceeded to vandalize the administrative block belonging to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The ensuing chaos resulted in substantial property damage, with several buildings and other assets either destroyed or set ablaze. Affected structures included OPM offices, a police post and barracks, a UNHCR office block, and the OPM canteen. Additionally, a motorcycle and a generator were burnt, two vehicles sustained severe damage, and multiple OPM motorcycles were reportedly destroyed alongside a vehicle belonging to Palm Corps, which was parked within the OPM compound. Humanitarian equipment also suffered damage, with preliminary estimates suggesting property losses could amount to billions of shillings.

Tragically, the violence also claimed the lives of two refugees. Police reported that these individuals were shot when security personnel deployed live ammunition to disperse the rioting crowd and to restrain two people who allegedly attempted to seize firearms from officers. The precise circumstances surrounding these fatalities remain under active investigation, and the bodies of the deceased have since been released to their relatives for burial. Following the intense clashes, calm has reportedly returned to the settlement, though normal activities remain suspended. Development partners have taken precautionary measures, evacuating their staff and essential belongings to Arua, while security personnel maintain a visible presence in the settlement as investigations continue.

In the aftermath of the Imvepi refugee settlement violence arrests, Ugandan authorities have apprehended a substantial number of individuals. A joint security team, deployed within the Imvepi Refugee Settlement, conducted arrests over two days. Four suspects were initially taken into custody on Tuesday, the day the riots commenced. The following morning, an additional 37 individuals were arrested around 9 AM, bringing the total number of South Sudanese refugees arrested in connection with the Imvepi riots in Uganda to at least 41.

All those apprehended are currently detained at Terego Central Police Station in Terego District. West Nile Police spokesperson Josephine Angucia confirmed that the suspects were picked up from various parts of the settlement and are facing serious allegations. They are being investigated for alleged arson, attempted murder, causing bodily injuries to police officers, and malicious property damage. Angucia also stated that investigations are ongoing to identify all participants in the violence, and the 37 suspects arrested on Wednesday will be processed alongside those apprehended earlier, indicating a continued pursuit of accountability for the Terego District refugee riot charges.

The recent unrest at Imvepi highlights persistent tensions within Uganda's refugee settlements, where disputes over various services, including food assistance and verification exercises, have previously triggered protests. While these broader issues contribute to an environment of potential volatility, police have specifically identified the Refugee Welfare Council elections dispute Uganda as the immediate catalyst for the Tuesday's violence. The Refugee Welfare Council (RWC) is designed to serve as a vital platform, enabling refugees to voice their concerns and engage directly with settlement authorities on matters affecting their communities.

Despite the return of calm, the incident has renewed concerns regarding security and dispute resolution mechanisms within these settlements. The extensive OPM UNHCR property damage Imvepi, coupled with the serious charges of arson attempted murder Imvepi settlement, underscores the severe consequences of such unrest. Security personnel remain deployed, and police continue their efforts to identify and apprehend individuals suspected of involvement in the violence, signaling a sustained focus on maintaining order and addressing the underlying issues that can lead to such destructive outbreaks.

This incident highlights significant criminal liability risks for individuals involved in protests within refugee settlements in Uganda, specifically regarding charges like arson, attempted murder, and malicious property damage. For legal practitioners, it signals potential demand for criminal defense services for those arrested and raises questions about the use of force by security personnel, which could lead to human rights or civil liability claims. Compliance officers for NGOs and humanitarian organizations operating in such settlements should review their security protocols and dispute resolution mechanisms to mitigate risks associated with community unrest and ensure staff safety and property protection.

Source: Original reporting via Independent (Kampala)