{"id":20105614,"date":"2024-11-01T19:15:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T18:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20105614"},"modified":"2024-11-05T10:03:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T09:03:51","slug":"3-children-found-beheaded-near-sudanese-refugee-camp-in-uganda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/3-children-found-beheaded-near-sudanese-refugee-camp-in-uganda","title":{"rendered":"Three children found \u2018beheaded\u2019 near Sudanese refugee camp in Uganda"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Panic gripped Sudanese refugees in Uganda\u2019s Kiryandongo camp when the bodies of three Ugandan children were reportedly found beheaded near Bilal ibn Rabah school last week. The incident, which took place on Wednesday, raised fears among camp residents and fuelled new rumours of similar attacks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday, parents living in and near Uganda\u2019s Kiryandongo camp<\/a> anxiously rushed to schools to bring their kids home. The evening before, news broke out that the bodies of three children were found \u201cwith their heads cut off\u201d outside of Bilal ibn Rabah school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ugandan police and security forces began emergency measures and promptly initiated an investigation to idenfity those responsible. Osman Adam, a spokesperson for the Sudanese refugees in Kiryandongo, told Radio Dabanga that a recent emergency meeting with security officials \u201cconfirmed the crime had occurred outside the camp and that the victims were Ugandan nationals with no link to the Sudanese refugee community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe understand the residents\u2019 concerns\u201d, Adam said, \u201cbut initial investigations confirm that this crime has no connection to the camp.\u201d He urged residents to stay calm and refrain from spreading unverified information as police actively gather evidence to identify the perpetrators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours spreading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sudanese refugees in Kiryandongo camp felt that this incident only amplified pre-existing fears due to previous incidents. Hasan Abou recalled to Radio Dabanga the earlier disappearance of a Sudanese child from the camp\u2019s reception centre. \u201cUgandan authorities had located and returned the child, arresting the woman involved in the abduction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abou noted that while \u201cunfounded rumours\u201d of other kidnappings had been circulating, the discovery of the beheaded children triggered fresh anxiety among refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy Wednesday evening, we were hearing stories of slaughtered, beheaded children near the Islamic school. By Thursday, with rumours of kidnappings spreading, families rushed to schools to protect their children. We felt that our children were in danger. We had no choice but to go and bring them home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite assurances from authorities, rumours continued to spread, intensifying more panic. Reports of \u201csuspicious individuals\u201d near schools caused some students to flee classrooms in a disorderly manner, while others stopped exams and closed early to protect the students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Sharon School, misinformation about alleged child murders led to an emergency evacuation. The administration later confirmed that a child had started the rumour, leading to panic. Adam said that police found no evidence of any additional incidents. He advised refugees to verify information before sharing it, warning that spreading false news could carry legal consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To calm fears and restore order, Ugandan authorities scheduled a meeting with refugee leaders on November 11. The meeting will address the security situation and include messages to reassure Sudanese refugees and emphasise the importance of collective responsibility for camp stability.<\/p>\n