Over 2000 Congolese Refugees Enter Uganda As Fighting Intensifies in Eastern DRC.

Fighting between different armed groups and Congo Forces in Eastern DRC has led to an influx of Refugees into Uganda and also increased threat levels to the border communities and and the region.

The civilians in areas proximal to our common border especially the elderly , the sick ones, pregnant Women and Children are vulnerable to attacks from armed fighters, hunger, displacement and loss of cultural values as fighting ranges on. Many registered refugees are the most vulnerable members of the Congolese communities. This complicates the humanitarian situation for border communities and the entire region.

As fighting range on, thousands of refugees have crossed through porous border into Uganda. Bunagana and Nteko in kisoro, Kyeshero and Ishasha in Kanungu and other small ungazzeted routes have been used by asylum seekers into the country.

Most recent arrivals, of over 2000 Congolese recieved in the last 72 hours are from areas of Katwiguru, kiwanza, Binza, kiseguro,kiringa, masisi, bwenza, walungu and Rutchuru among others. Important to note, is the fact that these areas are near our borders and fighting has security implications to border communities and the region as many armed groups are operational in Eastern DRC .

The refugees have been taken to transit centres at Nyakabande in Kisoro and Matanda in Kanungu. The office of the Prime minister is working with all stakeholders at the border to ensure Congolese civilians running away from insecurity are handled as per requirements of the international law.

In a related development, 98 armed Congolese Police officers were received yesterday evening at Ishasha border post. They are being handled as per International law guidelines.

The security situation on was side is calm and there is no incursion into our territory and we continue to work with District Security Committees in the region to mobilize for the vigilance of border communities and to ensure thorough verification of Fleeing Congolese civilians to avoid possible infiltration by Negative element into Uganda.
According UPDF 2 Infantry Division Public Information Officer Maj. KiconconTabaro said that, We continue to urge the community leaders at the borders and as well the civilians to keep vigilant as negative elements like ADF which has been labouring to come back into Uganda after we destroyed their camps in East DRC may take advantage of this situation. The vigilance will help us deter cross border insecurity. Otherwise we are vigilant and have since stepped up surveillance along Kisoro – Kanungu areas bordering with DRC.