By Mathew Okello
TORORO
Tororo district authorities have gazzetted two reception centers for Kenyan refugees in case tomorrow polls go sour.
The Independent electoral and Boundary commission of Kenya gazzetted tomorrow 9 August for presidential, parliamentary, Senate and county governors elections.
In 2007, Uganda in particular Tororo district registered over 2000 refugees resulting from post elections violence, a situation that found them unprepared by then.
To avoid the 2007 occurrence, Tororo district has so far selected two schools namely Oriyoi primary school in Morukatipe Sub County and St. Jude primary school in Malaba town council all in Tororo district as reception centers in case the country receives refugees from Kenya.
The Tororo District Deputy Resident Commissioner (RDC) Albert Amula confirmed the arrangements saying that they are currently in touch with the United Nations High commissioner for refugees and the Uganda Red Cross to equally come and camp in the area to give support in case need arises.
Amula also revealed that the situation at the border is still calm and there is no need to worry because all is under control.
The Tororo municipality Member of Parliament, Apollo Yeri Ofwono said that handfuls of Kenyans have started trickling into the country and have booked different hotels, a clear signal that there is need for prior preparations.
He appealed to Ugandans to welcome anybody coming in from Kenya and accord them a conducive environment at the time when they need us like now.
He further asked the office of the Prime minister to send some food staffs to the district to be on standby so that the district will have what to offer when need arises.
The Bukedi South Region Police Commander, Assistant commissioner of police, Julius Ceaser Tusingwire says they have beefed up security along the border stretch between Uganda and Kenya from Majanji to Elgon in preparations for any eventualities.
Meanwhile, there has also been a decline in the numbers of cargo trucks entering the country reducing since Friday where 1037 were registered, 818 on Saturday and then yesterday Sunday 932 from the initial 1500 and above according to data collected by Tororo deputy RDC Albert Amula from customs.
