Ugandan authorities on Friday handed over nearly 100 Congolese police officers who had sought refuge in the country to escape escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The officers had crossed the border into Kanungu district in southwestern Uganda.
A statement from Ugandan military spokesperson Major Kiconco Tabaro confirmed that the officers’ identities had been verified. He emphasized that their initial entry into Uganda was a humanitarian gesture in line with international law. Along with the officers, Ugandan forces also recovered their weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment.
The ongoing conflict between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese military in eastern DRC has triggered a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of civilians fleeing their homes. Uganda has been grappling with an influx of refugees seeking safety across its border.
The M23, a predominantly Congolese Tutsi rebel group, has intensified its insurgency in the region since 2022. The group’s recent capture of the strategic town of Kanyabayonga has exacerbated tensions and led to increased military operations by the Congolese army.
The United Nations estimates that over 1.7 million people have been displaced by the fighting in North Kivu province alone, bringing the total number of internally displaced Congolese to a staggering 7.2 million. The situation continues to deteriorate, prompting calls for urgent humanitarian assistance and diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.