Congolese Police Officers Flee into Uganda As M23 Captures Nyamilima Town

98 Congolese National Police (NPC) officers and more than 2,000 refugees have entered Uganda following the capture of Nyamilima town in the northern part of Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province. 

M23 captured the town, located about 10 kilometers to the Uganda-DR Congo border of Ishasha in Kanungu district.  According to reliable sources, the rebels captured the town on Saturday at around 4:00 pm without resistance.  After the capture of the town, Police officers who were attached to the Ishasha side of DR Congo fled to Uganda.   

The villages of Ngwenda, Nyabanira, Kasave, Kiseguro, Katwiguru, and Kisharo in Binza Groupement territory fell into the hands of the rebels.

Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma, released a statement on Sunday claiming the capture of Nyamilima town. He also described the fleeing of police officers to Uganda as shameful.   “On Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., the lions were welcomed with jubilation at NYAMILIMA 10km from ISHASHA, UGANDA border to the applause of the population. Colonel Justin KARANGWA and other AFC/M23 commandos ensured the total security of the City. Government police officers from the border town of Ishasha flee in masses to Uganda following the triumphant entry of the AFC/M23 into Nyamilima. Very shameful to the cowards of an incompetent enjoyer Tshisekedi,” Ngoma said. 

The DRC government is yet to release a statement about the matter.  

Major Kiconco Tabaro, Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF)  2nd  Infantry Division Public Information Officer confirmed to our reporter on Sunday the entry of 98 Congolese police officers in Kanungu district through Ishasha border. 

Tabaro says that the officers who were armed were received and are being handled per the international law guidelines.   Tabaro also says that in the last 72 hours, about 2,000 Congolese nationals also fled to Uganda through the Kyeshero and Ishasha borders in Kanungu district as well as Bunagana and Nteko in Kisoro district.   

Tabaro says that the UPDF is on high alert to make sure that no negative element uses the tense situation to cross into Uganda. He called for calm saying that the army is on standby to thwart any kind of fighting that crosses the border.   

The conflict between M23 and the Congolese government began in March 2022, led by Bisimwa and Makenga.  M23-AFC controls large areas in the territories of Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyiragongo, and Lubero. The DR Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim that both Rwanda and M23 deny. The rebels assert that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DR Congo's leadership.