The governments of Uganda and Burundi and the UNHCR have signed the tripartite agreement that will pave way for the voluntary repatriation of Burundi refugees in the country.

The agreement was signed following a two-day meeting in Kampala, chaired Dr. Stephen Malinga, the Ugandan minister for relief and disaster preparedness.

The agreement among others establishes a framework for the voluntary return of Burundian refugees in Uganda, now standing at about 13000; specifies a right of return of the refugees without any preconditions; defines the responsibilities of the parties and established a tripartite commission and a technical working group.

The agreement will also set in motion a massive information campaign to promote voluntary repatriation, commence negations with a third country so as to agree on entry and exit formalities and a follow up meeting for the commission and technical working group in a two month-time in Bujumbura, Burundi.

NV