Kisoro — A 16-year-old Congolese refugee, Lydia Mbakemiye, died on April 21st, 2025, after being struck by a UNHCR vehicle at the Nyakabande refugee transit center in Kisoro District.
The accident occurred around noon as the vehicle, a white Isuzu FVZ (reg. no. UAU 728X), was entering the camp.
The driver, identified as 57-year-old Kule Mosheni, a resident of Mpondwe, Kasese, was reportedly on his way to pick up motorbikes from the transit center on behalf of the UNHCR office in Kisoro town. According to police, the camp was crowded with refugees undergoing screening and registration.
As the vehicle began to move, a scuffle broke out among some refugees attempting to rejoin the registration line. In the ensuing chaos, Mbakemiye was pushed backward into the path of the vehicle, resulting in fatal injuries.
Asp Kushaba Micheal and a police team responded to the scene. Mbakemiye’s body was transported to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination. The UNHCR vehicle has been impounded at Kisoro Central Police Station pending a thorough inspection.
Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, confirmed the incident, adding that inquiries into the circumstances of the accident are ongoing.
The incident underscores the challenges faced in managing large-scale refugee populations and the need for stringent safety measures within transit centers. The UNHCR is yet to issue an official statement.
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