The M23 rebels have taken control of the Ishasha border, forcing Congolese government security officials to flee to the Ugandan side in Kanungu District.
This is the third major border post captured by the M23 rebels from the Congolese government, following the takeovers of Bunagana in June 2022 and Kitagoma in October 2022, both near Uganda’s Kisoro District.
M23 spokesperson Lt Col Willy Ngoma confirmed the capture of the Ishasha border in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on August 5, 2024.
Lt Col Ngoma confirmed in a phone interview that their forces took over the Ishasha border post in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday evening, and the area is now stable and serene. He encouraged Congolese nationals who had fled to return, assuring them that their military is defending civilian rights. He stressed the need for community rebuilding in a peaceful environment.
In response to the conflict between the M23 rebels and Congolese government soldiers, which has caused around 2,000 refugees to move to Kanungu District, Maj Kiconco Tabaro, the public information officer for the UPDF Second Division, announced on Sunday evening that they have increased security measures along the Uganda-DRC border.
He mentioned that Congolese nationals fleeing from regions like Katwiguru, Kiwanza, Binza, Kiseguro, Kiringa, Masisi, Bwenza, Walungu, and Rutchuru are currently being accommodated in transit camps at Matanda in Kanungu and Nyakabande in Kisoro.
Maj Tabaro indicated that around 98 armed Congolese police officers arrived at the Ishasha border post in Kanungu District on Saturday evening after M23 forces took over their areas of control. These officers are being managed according to international legal standards.
He also assured that the security situation on the Ugandan side remains stable with no breaches into their territory. Efforts are ongoing with District Security Committees to enhance border community vigilance and ensure careful screening of the fleeing Congolese to prevent the entry of any potentially harmful elements into Uganda.
Maj Tabaro emphasized the need for public alertness to prevent the entry of undesirable groups like the ADF into Uganda amid the ongoing crisis. He pointed out that the conflict has led to thousands of refugees crossing into Uganda through various porous border points, including Bunagana and Nteko in Kisoro, as well as Kyeshero and Ishasha in Kanungu. The influx of refugees, many of whom are among the most vulnerable, complicates the humanitarian situation for border communities and the region at large.
Mr. Ambrose Amanyire Mwesigye, the Resident District Commissioner for Kanungu, reported that efforts are underway to screen the Congolese refugees before they are moved to refugee settlement camps in Uganda. He also mentioned that they are awaiting further instructions from the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Defence regarding the handling of the armed Congolese police officers who surrendered.
