Government Confirms M23 Rebels Escape from Military School

Security has intercepted M23 101 combatants following their escape from Bihanga Military Training School in Ibanda District Muhanda.

Government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo, says the combatants were intercepted on Wednesday night while traveling in four vehicles on their way to the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC.

"These had disguised themselves as ordinary travelling passengers upon interrogation, it was established that they were part of the M23 former combatants who had been cantoned at Bihanga Barracks. These were stealthily leaving their gazetted place of abode contrary to the Agreement of 2014 and the protocols signed with the DRC Government,"Ofwono's statement read.

According to Ofwono, the group is currently being held at the second division Headquarters in Makenke Army Barracks near Mbarara town. About 270 M23 combatants were confined at Bihanga Military Training School following their defeat by the DRC government forces in 2014, which pushed them into Uganda.

Of these 40 are said to have escaped from at Bihanga Military Training School seven days ago.   Last week, the DRC government claimed that a group of M23 fighters had crossed from Uganda into DRC where they are trying to regroup.  Security has also linked the seven guns recovered in Kisoro district last week to M23 rebels. 

At its peak of insurgency, M23 rebel took over the North Kivu's capital Goma but were defeated by the United Nations and Congolese forces.