Uganda will open a third aid camp to cope with the growing exodus of Congolese refugees fleeing violence in the east of their country, according to reports.

At least 100 people a day are now crossing the border, with up to 3,000 fleeing since elections in November, Uganda's refugee minister told the BBC.

Women fleeing violent militias have reported being raped while their homes were ransacked and property stolen.

We are kind of overwhelmed, there are many Congolese pouring and crossing into Uganda daily, Stephen Malinga, Uganda's Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, told All Africa.com.

So far, we have received about 3,700 new arrivals into the country through three western Uganda border points; we expect many more to come.

He added that there were reports of armed rebels questioning people over which candidate they voted for in the November elections.

Deadly protests and violence erupted in the run up to, and during, the November 28 elections, with gunmen belonging to President Joseph Kabila and his rival Etienne Tshisekedi killing scores of rivals.

Rebel groups still operate in the eastern part of Congo, and although the five-year civil war ended in 2003, violence is on the increase.

But despite the growing numbers of refugees, the United Nations refugee agency said the recent influx of people is not a massive flight yet.

It is not so much the number but the fact that they are not safe in their country and that they need assistance, UNHCR's Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba told the BBC.

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