KISORO: Thousands of Congolese nationals have since Sunday been fleeing into Uganda through the Bunagana border in Kisoro district following renewed fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and a rebel group in North Kivu province.
According to the Uganda Red Cross, many people carrying their belongings are camped at the border following heavy fighting near the Virunga ranges in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ismail Ndayambaje, the Mayor for Bunagana town council, who put the number of DRC nationals camped at the Bunagana border at 50,000, said the fighting started with a rebel group they suspect to be M23.
Ndayambaje on Monday, the rebels had already captured parts of Gisiza, Kabonero, Runyoni, and Nyarubara in Jjomba district, and were advancing to Rutshuru territory.
Ndayambaje says that DRC soldiers are visibly seen stuck in the no-mans-land at the Bunagana border.
Kisoro Resident District Commissioner Captain Peter Mugisha said apart from those camped at the Bunagana border, more are still crossing to Uganda through other porous borders.
Mugisha said that authorities have already held a meeting with UNHCR and Red Cross officials to forge all the necessary means of accommodating the affected locals at the Nyakabande Refugees Transit Site.
Fresh fighting between the DR Congo government army and a yet to be known rebel group in North Kivu province happens at a time when DR Congo is also battling other rebel and militia groups like Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Mai Mai, and Cooperative for the Development of the Congo-CODECO, a militia group commanded by Bernard Kakado and Justin Ngudjolo among others.