Gun Proliferation at Bunagana Worries Residents

By Gerrard Niyirinda   

 Local communities in Kisoro district living along the border of Bunagana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have expressed concern over the number of people with firearms crossing into the district and are now living among them.

According to the residents, their lives and property are no longer safe because of unknown aliens allegedly seeking refuge from war are now committing crimes against innocent Ugandans.

Residents raised their concerns over the weekend during a meeting with the Bufumbira South Member of Parliament Hon. Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda who called on security to tighten up by conducting more thorough searches of people entering Uganda from the DRC via Bunagana border.

The comments come days after unknown people armed with guns attacked locals in the villages of Nshora and Gaphurizo where they managed to steal 22 million Ugandan shillings.

The armed gun men also fired at least 14 bullets but were unable to injure or kill anyone.

Among the victims, Nshora Village Chairperson Sebidunduri David and Sibomana Ronald who were attacked thanked the Hon. MP for immediately responding to a situation that has left the communities anxious about their future.

Hon. Niyonsaba says security reports indicate that some of the gunmen have been terrorizing people in Muramba, Nyarusiza and Bunagana town council seeking money and other valuable items.

Hon. Niyonsaba says Police and Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have been directed to start a manhunt for criminals with fire arms.

Kisoro Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hajji Shafiq Sekandi says security is prepared to engage such criminals.

He noted that most of the firearms entering Uganda via Bunagana border are unmarked and not easily be traced adding that they might belong to rebel elements operating in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sekandi also called on the public to cooperate with security to ensure peace and stability returns to the area.

Eastern DRC is riddled with various rebel groups. M23 rebel group is currently claiming authority over Bunagana in DRC after they managed to overrun government forces earlier this month.