Kanungu, Uganda – Today, August 16, 2024, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) handed over a total of 140 Congolese nationals to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government. The group, comprising 98 police officers, 2 civilian males (1 disabled), 13 women, and 27 children, had sought refuge in Uganda following the takeover of several areas in North Kivu by the M23 rebel group.
The Congolese nationals were received by UPDF officials at the Ishasha border in Kanungu District and were transported to the Mpwonde-Kasindi border post in Kasese District, where they were handed over to DRC authorities.
According to Lt. Col. Jacob Apunia, who conducted a verification exercise on August 12, 2024, the group included 98 Congolese National Police Officers who crossed into Uganda with 41 assault rifles, 55 full-loaded magazines, 10 empty magazines, 1 hand grenade, 2 helmets, and 1 rocket-propelled grenade fuse.
The UPDF 2nd Infantry Division, led by Lt. Col. Tembo Sitende, Ugandan battalion commander at the border, worked with a joint verification and intelligence taskforce to ensure the safe passage of the Congolese nationals.
Maj. Tabaro Kiconco, Public Information Officer of the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division, stated, “This is not the first time we have received Congolese security officers on the Ugandan side after skirmishes on their side. We have always given them safe passage, which is a humanitarian act for our counterparts, and we will always do our best for the purposes of regional security and in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.”
The UPDF has tightened surveillance and reactivated vigilance mechanisms at the border to deter possible infiltration by negative elements operating in the region.
The influx of Congolese nationals, including security officers, is attributed to the ongoing insecurity in North Kivu, perpetrated by a cocktail of armed groups. Women refugees reported moving long distances to cross into Uganda, seeking peace and security.
Notable crossing points include Kyeshero and Ishasha in Kanungu District, and Bunagana and Nkuringo in Kisoro District. The UPDF continues to receive Congolese refugees at Matanda transit camp in Kanungu and Nyakabande Transit camp in Kisoro district, with hundreds arriving weekly.
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