Summary:
- These officers fled to Uganda following the capture of Kiwanza, Nyamirima, Buganza Nyaruhanje, and Ishasha in the Rutshuru region of North Kivu by M23 rebels.
NEWS: The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) has handed over 98 Congolese security officers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government.
These officers fled to Uganda following the capture of Kiwanza, Nyamirima, Buganza Nyaruhanje, and Ishasha in the Rutshuru region of North Kivu by M23 rebels. They are part of a group of 140 Congolese nationals who have been repatriated from the Ishasha border in Kanungu District to the Mpwonde-Kasindi border post in Kasese District.
Major Kiconco Tabaro, the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division Public Information Officer, stated that the Congolese officials were provided a safe environment in Uganda.
“This insecurity has persisted for several years, with Uganda receiving many refugees, including hundreds weekly at the Matanda transit camp in Kanungu and the Nyakabande transit camp in Kisoro District,” Maj. Tabaro said.
He added, “This is not the first time we have received Congolese security officers in Uganda following skirmishes in their country. We have treated them according to international law requirements, providing safe passage as a humanitarian act. We will continue to do our best for regional security and in the spirit of Pan-Africanism, reflecting the cordial relations between Uganda and the DRC.”
At the time of the report, Maj. Tabaro noted that Lt. Col. Tembo Sitende, the Ugandan battalion commander at the Kanungu border, along with officials from the UPDF and FARDC joint verification and intelligence task force, were en route to the Mpwonde-Kasindi border in Kasese District to hand over the Congolese nationals.
“On 12 August 2024, Lt. Col. Jacob Apunia conducted a verification exercise and confirmed that all of them are Congolese National Police officers who crossed into Uganda for safety. They were armed with 41 assault rifles, 55 fully loaded magazines, 10 empty magazines, one hand grenade, two helmets, and one rocket-propelled grenade fuse after M23 took control of areas along the DRC border,” Maj. Tabaro said.
Meanwhile, Congolese refugees continue to enter Uganda from areas such as Katwiguru, Kiseguro, Binza, Nyabanira, Kisharo, Ntamugenga, Nyamirima, Karambi, and Nyanzari, all in the Rutshuru region. The notable crossing points include Kyeshero and Ishasha in Kanungu District, as well as Bunagana and Nkuringo in Kisoro District.
According to female refugees, the long journeys into Uganda are driven by violence and insecurity inflicted by a mix of armed groups in North Kivu, compelling them to seek peace and security in Uganda.
Maj. Tabaro also mentioned that the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division has tightened surveillance and reactivated vigilance mechanisms along the border to deter possible infiltration by negative elements operating in the region.
Cue in Maj Tabaro….on the Matter…RR/ENG//
