UPDF Confirms Influx of Congolese Refugees and Security Concerns at Uganda Border

KAMPALA-UGANDA: Fighting between different armed groups and Congolese Armed Forces in Eastern DRC has increased threat levels to the border communities and the region with an influx of Refugees into Uganda.

According to the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division Public Information Officer Maj. Kiconco Tabaro, the civilians in areas proximal to the border especially the elderly, the sick, pregnant Women and Children are vulnerable to attacks from armed fighters, hunger, displacement and loss of cultural values as fighting rages on.

Maj. Kiconco Tabaro added that thousands of refugees have crossed through the porous border into Uganda in the areas of Bunagana and Nteko in kisoro District, Kyeshero and Ishasha in Kanungu District and other small ungazetted routes being 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, 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” Said Maj. Kiconco Tabaro.

The UPDF II Infantry Division Public Information Officer also confirmed to this reporter that 98 armed Congolese Police officers were received on Sturterday evening at Ishasha border post and are being handled as per International law guidelines.

Maj. Kiconco Tabaro called upon the community leaders and the civilians at the borders to keep vigilant as negative elements like ADF which has been labouring to come back into Uganda after they destroyed their camps in East DRC may take advantage of the situation.

“The security situation on our 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” Said Maj. Kiconco Tabaro.

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