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Fighting between different armed groups and Government Forces in Eastern DRC has led to an influx of Refugees into Uganda and also increased threat levels to the border communities and the region, the UPDF has said.
A statement released by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), civilians in areas near the Uganda – DRC 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 recieved refugees are the most vulnerable members of the Congolese communities. This complicates the humanitarian situation for border communities and the entire region.
Maj. Kiconco Tabaro, the UPDF 2 Infantry Division Public Information Officer released the statement hours before the M23 armed group – that has been fighting the DRC government – took control of the Ishasha border town in DRC.
As fighting raged on, thousands of refugees 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.
He said that most recent arrivals, of over 2000 Congolese received in the last 72 hours are from areas of Katwiguru, Kiwanja, Binza, Kiseguro, Kiringa, Masisi, Bwiza, Walungu and Rutshuru among others.
The refugees were taken to transit centres at Nyakabande in Kisoro and Matanda in Kanungu, according to Maj Tabaro.
The UPDF notes that 98 armed Congolese Police officers were received on Saturday evening at Ishasha border post as they sought refuge in Uganda, and were being handled as per International lawful guidelines.
Full Statement:
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 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 rages 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 received in the last 72 hours are from areas of Katwiguru, Kiwanja, Binza, Kiseguro, Kiringa, masisi, Bwiza, walungu and Rutshuru 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 mobilise for the vigilance of border communities and to ensure thorough verification of Fleeing Congolese civilians to avoid possible infiltration by Negative element into Uganda.
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.
Maj Kiconco Tabaro
UPDF 2 Infantry Division Public Information Officer
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