UNHCR Truck Kills 16-Year-Old Congolese Refugee in Kisoro
In a tragic incident at Nyakabande Refugee Transit Centre in Kisoro, Uganda, a 16-year-old female refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo was killed after being hit by a UNHCR truck on Monday afternoon.
The deceased, identified as Lydia Mbakemiye, hailed from Kiwamgya, North Kivu Province in eastern DRC. According to authorities, the incident happened during a refugee screening and registration exercise when Mbakemiye was allegedly pushed into the path of the moving truck by other refugees in line.
Details of the Incident
The truck involved is a white Isuzu FVZ with registration number UAU 728X, operated by 57-year-old Kule Mosheni, a Mukonjo from Mpondwe, Kasese District. It was on-site to assist with logistical operations involving mobile equipment.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed the fatality and said a team led by ASP Micheal Kushaba responded to the scene. The body was taken to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for a postmortem.
The vehicle has been impounded at Kisoro Central Police Station pending inspection by the Inspectorate of Vehicles (IOV).
Ongoing Investigations
Police have opened an official inquiry into the matter to establish circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. UNHCR has not yet publicly commented on the accident.
The tragedy has raised fresh concerns over crowd management and safety protocols at refugee processing centers across Uganda.
