South Sudan refugees killed in Ugandan camp

Six refugees from South Sudan have been killed and four others injured in a resettlement camp in Madi Okollo, north-western Uganda.

A police spokeswoman for the West Nile region, Josephine Angucia, said 13 villagers had been arrested in connection to the deaths on Friday.

The killings happened after a number of refugees assaulted a local man, Ajute Rahman Yassin, who was grazing his cattle near the resettlement camp.

But rumours spread Mr Ajute had died, prompting a mob to attack the camp.

The police and army are still looking for other suspects.

Uganda hosts some 1.4 millions refugees – more than any other country in Africa. Most are from neighbouring South Sudan.

In recent years tension has sometimes escalated between the refugees and host communities over resources such as land, firewood and water.

A report by the International Refugee Rights Initiative last year warned tensions in the north and north-western parts of the country could result in a broader conflict if not addressed.

BBC.COM