The price of food in Kisoro has gone up, following an influx of Congolese fleeing the fighting between government forces and the rebels loyal to Renegade Bosco Ntaganda and Col.Machenga.
The prices of posho, beans, Bananas, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes edged upwards on Friday after refugees stormed the district fleeing insecurity in their home county.
Food stocks in some shops at Bunagana have run out, while in Kisoro town council traders have decided to hike the prices of their commodities. A kilo of Posho now goes for as much as 2800 from 2200 shillings; A Kilogram of dry beans has shot up from 2,500 shillings to 3,200 shillings. A basket of sweet potatoes now goes for 8000 from 2800 while a bunch of matooke is now at 25,000 shillings.
Christopher Habimana a trader in Kisoro says that he decided to hike his commodities as the demand is too high.
Twagirayezu Chrode, another businessman along Mutanda road in Kisoro town told URN that unless something is done, the district will soon face a serious food shortage.
Secondinah Mukeshimana, a Congolese refugee who arrived on Friday night told URN that the rebels have warned them against rushing back to their homes.
She says that the fighting may take longer unlike in the past when the rebels would attack and then retreat to the forests. Mukeshimana revealed that the rebels also disarmed park rangers in the Virunga National park and asked them to leave.
Johnson Kyomukama, the Red Cross manager Kisoro branch says that the pace at which the refugees have continued to leave Democratic republic of Congo is alarming.
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