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Moses Agaba
Kanungu: In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have fled into Uganda amid fierce fighting between government forces and armed groups.
The Uganda People’s Defence Public Information Officer of the 2nd Infantry Division, Major Kiconco Tabaro, reported that more than 2,000 Congolese refugees had arrived in the last 72 hours from the districts of Katwiguru, Kiwanja, Binza, Kiseguro, Kiringa, Masisi, Bwenza, Walungu and Rutchuru.
Tabaro stressed that as the conflict continues, civilians in areas near the Ugandan border, especially the elderly, the sick, pregnant women and children, are particularly vulnerable to attacks, hunger, displacement and loss of cultural values.
“Many of the registered refugees are among the most vulnerable members of the Congolese community. This further complicates the humanitarian situation in border communities and the region as a whole,” he said.
As the fighting continues, refugees have entered Uganda through porous border entry points including Bunagana and Nteko in Kisoro Province, Kesero and Ishasha in Kanungu Province, and other unpublished routes.
“These areas are close to our borders and since there are many armed groups operating in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the fighting poses a threat to the security of border communities and the region,” Tabaro noted.
Refugees have been taken to transit centres at Nyakabande in Kisoro and Matanda in Kanungu. The Prime Minister’s Office is working with all stakeholders at the border to ensure that Congolese civilians fleeing insecurity are treated in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, Tabaro mentioned that on Saturday evening, 98 Congolese armed police arrived at the Ishasha border post and were processed in accordance with the norms of international law.
“The security situation on our side is calm and there have been no intrusions. We continue to work with the District Security Committee in the area to mobilise border communities to be vigilant and ensure that fleeing Congolese civilians are thoroughly accounted for and that undesirable elements may infiltrate Uganda,” he said.
He urged community leaders and civilians along the border to remain vigilant as bad elements like the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), who have been trying to return to Uganda after their camps in eastern DRC were destroyed, could take advantage of the situation.
“Vigilance helps us curb cross-border insecurity. We remain alert and have increased surveillance in the Kisoro-Kanongu area bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Tabaro concluded.
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