Hundreds of Congolese asylum seekers comprising of mostly women, children and the elderly crossed back to their home country in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda Bunagana and Busanza boarder posts after eighteen months in exile in Uganda following the war that broke out between the March23 Movement (M23) and the DRC government Military Forces (FARDC) between March and July 2022 in Rutshuru territory which forced thousands of Congolese civil populace to flee for safety into Uganda for fear of their lives.
The refugees, who had camped in Nakivale Refugee settlement facility for eighteen months, said that they are happy to be back home because of the presence of the Uganda Contingent Forces deployed for peace keeping mission under the East Africa Regional Forces meant to oversee the peace process and normalcy in Rutshuru territory. Adding that Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Contingent operating under the EACRF have given them confidence to return back home as calmness and relative peace has been registered with no fighting, insecurity nor any violations of the peace agreement in areas under their responsibility.
Mzee Ngoy Abraham and his wife Jemima Congo expressed excitement and joy for returning home and to re-unite with his family and friends to start a new life. He said that the situation was unbearable during the war that he could not bear the pain and fear. According to Captain Kato Ahmad Hassan, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Contingent
The Spokesperson in DRC said that 309 refugees crossed into DRC from Bunagana and Busanza boarder post and settled to their respective villages. “We welcome them back home. Rutshuru territory is relatively calm and peaceful. We call upon those who are still in refuge to come back home.”Most of the comebacks were received by their friends and families in the villages of Tshengerero in Bunagana, Kahunga, and Rutshuru and as far as Mabenga and Kinyandoni general areas.
