Democratic Republic of Congo Security Official in Uganda to Verify Congolese Police Officers.

Yesterday afternoon, 12 August 2024, Lt Col Jacob Apunia from FARDC ( Congolese National Army) , did a verification exercise to confirm the authenticity of National Congolese Police Officers who flee to Uganda after M23 took control of areas along borders with DRC. The verification exercise took place at Ishasha border post in Kanungu district.

The 2nd Infantry Division Commander Brig Gen Paul Muhanguzi, Ambrose Amanyire Mwesigye, Kanungu, district Resident District commissioner, Kanungu District Police Commander Senior Supretendant of Police Titus Kutosi, Ishasha Immigration officers, the district security committee members witnessed the exercise conducted by Lt Col Jacob Apunia.

The exercise is part of the process by Congolese National Army ahead of the transfer of Congolese police through a safe passage that will be provided by Ugandan government in the near near future. The official confirmed that indeed 98 police officers, two civilians, one of them disabled, 13 mothers with 27 children are Congolese Nationals and expressed gratitude to government of Uganda for the kind of generosity fleeing Congolese National have always gotten when in Uganda.

“We thank the Government of Uganda, the UPDF and Ugandan locals for treating us in a brotherly and sisterly way as we fight insecurity perpetuated on Congolese Nationals by armed groups in the Eastern DRC” Lt Col Jacob Apunia speaking in Lingala, Congolese native language said. The Congolese officials who fled to Uganda are safe and well, their handling, while in Uganda, is within the premises of cordial relations enjoyed by the government of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

“My coming here is to witness the verification conducted by FARDC Army Officer Col Jacob who has come to confirm that these are real Congolese officers with their wives and children who are under our protection and care after fleeing into Uganda” Gen Muhanguzi said. He also thanked the police, immigration officers and the UPDF personnel for taking care of Congolese officers with their wives and children . “the next step is to contact our strategic leadership to organize and facilitate their safe movement through Uganda to their home country” he said.

According to UPDF Second Infantry Division Public Information Officer Kiconco Tabaro said that, He saluted the Resident District Commissioner Kanungu district Mwesigye and his team for the support and collaboration efforts amongst security stakeholders in the district. Together with Security officials from Uganda , Col Jacob verified equipment which included 41 rifles, 55 full loaded Magazines 10 empty magazines 02 helmets and other miner assorted items. The Congolese policemen are expecting to travel any time soon.