Hundreds flee fresh fighting in eastern DR Congo, cross into Uganda

2021-11-08 21:56:03 GMT2021-11-09 05:56:03(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

KAMPALA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Congolese are fleeing fresh fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), crossing into Uganda, relief and military authorities said here on Monday.

Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), a humanitarian agency, said Uganda is experiencing an influx of refugees from DRC via the Kisoro border.

"They are now camping at Bunagana border. Preliminary information indicates ongoing heavy fighting in DRC and one barracks taken over by the other forces," URCS said in a situation update.

"Fights started in Chanzu and Runyonyi near Virunga ranges forcing hundreds of people to run to Uganda," the statement added.

The relief agency said the refugees are going to be hosted at the Nyakabande transit center. Registrations of new arrivals have started.

"We are closely monitoring along our border with DRC and we are ready to deal with whatever comes," Geoffrey Sande, the spokesperson of the Second Division of the Uganda People's Defense Forces told Xinhua by telephone.

"But the security situation in Congo is worse. That is why we are seeing all these people coming to Uganda," he added.

Uganda is host to about 1.5 million refugees from neighboring DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. Enditem

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