Over 13,000 Congolese Refugees flee to Uganda after M23 Rebel Attack

KISORO, UGANDA: About 13,000 refugees from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo have fled the country into Uganda through the Bunagana border in Kisoro district following a renewed fight between the armed government forces and the M23 Rebel group.

According to reports from DRC Congo, the multitude migration of refugees follows a heavy night between government forces and the M23 rebel group that started on Sunday at around 3am in the villages of Chanzu, Runyonyi, and Bigyera in Rutshuru District, North Kivu province in DR Congo.

In the intense fight, the M23 reportedly overrun DRC’s army headquarters in Tchanzu in North Kivu and captured Tchanzu and Runyoni throwing civilians into panic and fear.

Kisoro Resident District Commissioner Captain Peter Mugisha Monday evening confirmed that an overwhelming number of DRC nationals are fleeing to the district to seek refugee, but did not exactly give the number.

“About 8,000 Congolese refugees are camped at Bunagana border while about 5,000 others are camped at Kibaya area in Kisoro District. We are liaising with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) officials and the Office of the Prime Minister to have these refugees relocated to Nyakabande refugee transit camp in Kisoro District where they can have access to clean water and sanitary facilities before being transported to the gazetted refugee camps,” Mr Mugisha said on Monday as he addressed the media at Bunagana Border Post.

Mr Mugisha said they have deployed Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers at the border to ensure security of Ugandans and that apart from those camped at the Bunagana border, more are still crossing to Uganda through other porous borders.

He added that police and health officials have also been deployed to welcome the refugees at Bunagana market where they are camped. 

Some of the refugees said they are tired of the insecurity in North Kivu province which has lasted for decades.

“We are living under fear of being attacked any time by the rebels that operate in the North Kivu province. We appeal to the Congolese Government to work with its neighbouring and flush out these rebels that are terrorising our communities,” Mr Amos Mbusayi, one of the refugees at Bunagana, said.

The Bunagana Central Cell chairperson, Mr Abubaker Nikyenje, appealed to the government to consider constructing public toilets and temporary shelters to accommodate the refugees.

“We have been spending a lot of money to clean Bunagana town every time there is such an influx of refugees because of poor human waste disposal,” Mr Nikyenje said.