MOGADISHU, December 16, 2005 (Xinhuanet) – The Somali nationals residing in Uganda will be registered for purposes of security and promoting harmony among the Somali community, local media reported on Friday.

Hussein Hassan, the chairman of the Somali community in Uganda , was quoted as saying that the countrywide registration exercise would kick off on Dec. 20 at Kisenyi, the main hub for Somalis in Kampala .

"The registration is not only for refugees and won't be held in Kampala only but throughout Uganda . It is free of charge to all. We want to create harmony as a community and work together," Hassan said.

He said the registered Somalis would be issued with identity cards. Hassan observed that Somalis are at times mistaken as criminals because of some other refugees are disguising themselves as Somalis.

"Other refugees use Somali identities to dent the image of Somalis. Even some Somali refugees cannot be rule out for crimes," Hassan said, adding that with the registration it would be easy to tell who is who.