M23 advancing towards Uganda

The border is the last remaining uncaptured supply route linking Uganda to Goma city in DRC.

According to media reports, Congolese nationals fleeing fighting in the DRC say the M23 rebels captured Nyamilima Township and four other villages which are just 19 kilometers away from the Ishasha border.

Gad Ahimbisibwe, the Kanungu Deputy RDC, says they have received information that M23 rebels are indeed advancing towards Uganda.

He appeals to local residents in the borders to avoid hosting fleeing refugees in their homes because they might be a security and health threat.

This comes days after the East African Community Standby Force announced that the rebels would withdraw from Rumagambo, Kisigari, and Rugari towns, which had been captured by the rebels by yesterday.

It is however not clear if this withdrawal has been effected.

While addressing the press last year at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, the UPDF spokesperson, Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, assured the public that the general security situation all over the country is calm and there is no need for worry.

Kulayigye also told the press the UPDF military operation dubbed Operation Shujaa which was launched last year with the goal of eliminating ADF was going on very well. In eastern DRC, he said Uganda has been able defeat the ADF sects thus enabling the smooth road construction of roads from Beni to Tebo all the way to Mugwalo inside Ituri region.

“There is some road construction Uganda is doing in eastern DRC. This has continued smoothly because we have been able to defeat the ADF there. There used to be ambushes in the areas these roads are being constructed, but that is not the case now. Road construction is on-going uninterrupted,” he said, adding that the UPDF has been able to bring calm in the area enabling people to go back to their homes peacefully.