Congo refugees enter Uganda after UPDF assault on ADF

A section of Congolese nationals are crossing into Uganda through the Busunga border point in Busunga Town council, Bundibugyo district following heightened military operations at Kamango and Nobili in Democratic Republic of Congo.

"I have come to Uganda to stay with my cousin sister who lives here. There are many people displaced but the government of DR Congo has blocked them from crossing to Uganda," said Kambale Jose, a Congolese national who fled.

He said many are secretly crossing the border.

Kambale added: "We started hearing gun shots during the day as the UPDF was battling with ADF."

"They are secretly coming in to settle with their relatives and most of them are bring in children and beddings," said Cleophas Kato, the Busunga Central LC1 chairperson, in Busunga town council.

"Most of them are Bakonzo and Babwisi, so they come and settle with their relatives and you can hardly tell their number," he added.

Kato said despite the clashes in DR Congo, business is normal at the border point due to the heavy deployment by the UPDF in Busunga town council and Nyahuka town council.

He said residents were very happy to see UPDF because they felt secure, considering what is happening in the neighborhood.

UPDF is currently camped at Busunga Primary school, Bubandi Primary School and St Mary's Senior Secondary School.

In the 1990s, the ADF rebels terrorized the Rwenzori sub region in the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kabarole for almost 10 years. And it is believed that more than 3,000 people were killed and 100,000 displaced.