By James Innocent
The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Yei River County has confirmed that more than 3,000 returnees have voluntarily returned to their hometown.
The RRC stated that the data was collected between September and October.
According to the officials despite challenges posed by poor road conditions and insecurity along major routes, challenges overwhelmed at camps in Uganda.
According to the RRC’s county representative, Mabe Moses, among the 3000 returnees at least 1,650 of them are women.
He added that several hundred others are still making their way home under difficult circumstances.
The officer noted that road damage and insecurity have significantly hindered the safe movement of displaced people.
Moses added that more than 1,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain in Marju Sub-Boma of Pokula Boma, many of whom still fear returning home due to security concerns.
He applauded humanitarian partners for their timely response to the crisis in Marju, describing it as “a positive step toward fostering community resilience.”
One of the returnees, Sebit Felix from Pokula Boma, appealed to both the government and humanitarian agencies to provide essential services such as food, medicine, and shelter.
He explained that many of the displaced families, including pregnant women, continue to live under harsh conditions following displacement during the Panyume conflict, which borders Yei River County.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Seme, commended partners operating in the area for their continuous support to the people of Yei.
He assured stakeholders that the security situation in Yei remains stable, adding that the government has arrested three individuals linked to criminal activities disrupting peace in the business community.
The remarks were made during an Area Reference Group (ARG) meeting held at the county secretariat in Yei, which brought together representatives from various humanitarian clusters and county government departments.