Visit Kyangwali Refugee Settlement
The Map of Kyangwali Refugee Settlement (Source:UNHCR)
Fact File
District: Kikuube (Formerly Hoima)
Subcounty: Kyangwali
Date of establishment: 01 Jan 1960
Source: https://data2.unhcr.org
Political Administrative Divisions:
Ugandan Government
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OPM (In Coordination with UNHCR)
Chairmen
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RWClll
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RWCII
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RWCI
Refugee Nationalities:
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South Sudanese
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Congolese ( Dem.Rep. Of Congo)
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Rwandans
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Burundians
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Kenyans
Kyangwali Refugee Settlement is a very diverse refugee haven located in western Uganda. It is located in the district of Kikuube formerly part of Hoima district. Kyangwali has hosted two different groups of refugees and also the Bakiga of South western Uganda from the district of Kabale. The Tutsi refugees from Rwanda, the generation of the current Rwandan leader, Paul Kagame lived in this settlement for about 30 years before going back around the time genocide occurred.
The second group are the refugees from North Kivu province that mainly arrived here around 1996 during the war between Mobutu and Laurent Kabila that pretty much started in 1996 and up to 1997 when Mobutu is overthrown by the Rwanda and Ugandan led insurgency that led Laurent Kabila to power. At the time this group arrived, there was no direct road that linked the Kasonga Health Center IV, Kituuti to Kasonga Trading Center. Based on stories obtained orally from the refugee families that arrived here around that time, the refugee settlement had its reception center at Kinakyeitaka Primary School located in the village of Kinakyeitaka.
A lot of food and relief Items were given to the families as soon as they arrived. They would stay there for two or more weeks, and later would be given a piece of land to start cultivating but this did not mean they lost their food ration from WFP immediately. They would continue to receive food for about 2 years and this would stop. As time went on, large numbers of these families were brought in and villages of Kyebitaka, Mukarange, Rwenyawawa, Nguruwe, Kasonga, Nyamiganda, Nyampindu, Mukunyu, Kagoma, Musisas A & B. The other villages created recently on the eastern part of the refugee camp have been due to an influx of refugees from the Ituri region of D.R Congo.
ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT KYANGWALI ?
We got you covered. You may be wondering;sleeping, eating, recreation, shopping, Internet services, schools, churches or mosques, agriculture etc in a refugee camp? Kyangwali technically is not a refugee camp but a refugee settlement and we do have some the places and services for someone new to the area. Kyangwali does have schools, hospitals, markets, soccer fields, restaurants and and local places to buy beer and gin.
Transportation
The mostly used transportation in the refugee settlement of Kyangwali is Motorcycle rides. Travelling to Kampala or nearby town of Hoima is by huge buses or mini buses.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.
Cinema Hall
"Mandevu"
At Mandevu, the cinema hall where many young children and mostly men go to watch movies and DSTv channel programs. The other biggest attraction to this overcrowded hall is Watching European Soccer.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.
Community Library
This is the community Library for the refugee settlement. It can accommodate about 20 people.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.
Kasonga
Market
This picture was taken at a time when the people were not there. This market runs 7 days a week and closes late in the evening. People mostly sell food (groceries) and a few household items.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.
Cloth Sewing Workshop
This is where women and men interested in sewing go to be trained on how to cut and sew clothes.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.
Youth Center
The Youth center is a place in the outskirts of the trading center that many young people meet to work on programs and activities. Outreach programs like on HIV/AIDS sensitization are also conducted here.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.
Computer Lab
This computer laboratory has very few computers and only those selected to learn and they are usually few people. They teach basic programs of Microsoft Office.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.
Open Markets
This being a remote area, the markets are in an open place. This exposes the local traders to customers and mostly grocery is sold in these open markets. And these are usually small and sometimes temporary.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.
Food Store and Relief Item Warehouse
The food store is operated by the WFP and the main contracted UNHCR partner is usually in charge of the relief items for distributing to new refugees and asylum seekers.
KASONGA TRADING CENTER
Credit: Elize & Joel.