The Migration of Refugees from Tanzania to Uganda:
Whose Responsibility?
February 2003
Introduction
In the past, media accounts have raised concerns about the influx of at least 5000 refugees into the western Ugandan districts of Mbarara and Rakai. They are currently not receiving any assistance, and their situation is deteriorating rapidly.
The crisis came to the attention of the media when refugees, mainly of Rwandese origin, started leaving Tanzania in late 2002. Although many went to other countries in the region, the majority crossed into Uganda. This document attempts to set the crisis in its historical and legal context, and highlight the obligations of the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Branch office in Uganda.