Nyarugusu Refugee Camp Begins Bicycle Seizure Operation, Hundreds Already Confiscated
KASULU, TANZANIA — Authorities at the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp have launched a strict operation to seize refugees’ bicycles inside the camp beginning Monday, October 6, 2025, in coordination with the Tanzania Police Force. Officials say the move enforces an earlier ban on bicycle (and motorcycle) use within camp limits.
According to camp management, any refugee found possessing or riding a bicycle will face legal measures and bikes will be impounded. A first sweep on September 29, 2025 reportedly confiscated over 320 motorcycles and 120 bicycles, which were transported to nearby Kasulu.
Nyarugusu—one of Africa’s largest refugee settlements located in Kigoma Region—hosts over 233,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi, per UNHCR figures (as of August 31, 2025). Refugees and community leaders warn the ban will hit livelihoods hard, since bicycles are widely used for petty trade, transporting goods, and accessing basic services.
Humanitarian actors note that mobility restrictions can compound vulnerability in large camps. While camp authorities argue the enforcement is about safety and order, rights groups urge consultation with residents and practical alternatives—such as designated cycling corridors or permit systems—to avoid harming already fragile household economies.
Author: Mangwa
Read more: MecaMediaAfrica.com
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