The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kanungu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | 98 Congolese police officers and their families who fled to Uganda have returned to their country. They fled to the Ugandan side of Ishasha in Kanungu district on August 3, after the town of Nyamilima in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province fell in the hands of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.
After the fall of Nyamilima, M23 rebels later advanced and captured the Ishasha border and Nyakakoma fishing enclave on Lake Edward.
On Monday, the officers and family members underwent verification which was presided over by Lt Col Jacob Apunia of the Congolese army-FARDC Brig Gen Paul Muhanguzi, UPDF’s 2nd Division Infantry Division Commander and Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire, Kanungu, Resident District commissioner.
41 assault rifles, 55 fully loaded magazines, 10 empty Magazines, 1 hand grenade, 02 helmets and 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) fuse were also verified.
Major Kiconco Tabaro Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) 2nd Infantry Division Public Information officer said that the government provided transport and the officers crossed through the Mpwonde border in Kasese district and were handed over to DR Congo authorities at Kasindi in Congo.
Without revealing numbers, Tabaro also said that the Kanungu and Kisoro districts are continuing to receive some refugees through the border points of Kyeshero and Ishasha (in Kanungu) and Bunagana and Nkuringo (in Kisoro).
He adds that Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers remain on high alert on the borderline to deter possible infiltration by Negative elements that try to cross the Ugandan side of the border.
The conflict between M23 and the Congolese government began in March 2022, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga. The war led to the M23/AFC capture and control of large parts of Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyiragongo and Lubero territories in North Kivu province. The DR Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim that both Rwanda and M23 deny.
The rebels assert that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the DR Congo’s leadership.
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