About 200 South Sudanese refugees who fled to Lamwo District in neighbouring Uganda have rejected relocation to refugee camps in Adjumani and Yumbe districts, several local officials said.

Some of the refugees in Palabek Kal Sub-county fled Magwi County in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatorial State at the onset of the civil war that erupted in July.

Geoffrey Nyeko, chairperson of the Palabek Kal Sub-county Local Council 3, told Daily Monitor that the presence of refugees in the area poses a security threat and puts pressure on the available resources.

He further said they held several meetings with other district leaders and select representatives of the refugees on plans to relocate them, but the refugees rejected the idea, saying they are comfortable in Lamwo District.

Nyeko also raised fear of spread of communicable diseases among the locals since some of the refugees came with their children who have not been immunised. He appealed to the Office of the Prime Minister to intervene in relocating the refugees.

Meanwhile, John Ogwok, Lamwo Local Council 5 chairperson, said refugees are also in Lamwo Town Council, Madi-Opei and Palabek Ogili south sub-counties. He estimates the number to be more than 200.

For his part, Titus Jogo, refugee desk officer at OPM in Adjumani District, said that they are aware of the concerns raised by the local leaders and pledged to help address them.