Uganda Returns Congolese Police Officers Amid Conflict

Uganda has returned nearly 100 Congolese police officers who fled to Kanungu district to escape clashes with M23 rebels, with their identities verified and entry granted under humanitarian grounds in accordance with international law. The officers were handed over along with their weapons and ammunition. The M23 insurgency, which reignited in 2022, has intensified, leading to the capture of strategic locations like Kanyabayonga and displacing over 1.7 million people in North Kivu. The total number of displaced individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached a staggering 7.2 million due to ongoing conflicts. Uganda continues to receive a steady influx of refugees escaping the violence in eastern Congo. The Ugandan military has emphasized its commitment to humanitarian assistance and the safe passage of individuals fleeing conflict.