Nearly 100 police officers from the Democratic Republic of Congo fled to Uganda over the weekend as clashes between M23 rebels and the military escalated.
The officers crossed into Uganda via Ishasha border in Kanungu district.
The 98 officers arrived with 43 guns and ammunition but were disarmed upon arrival, according to Ugandan military spokesperson Major Kiconco Tabaro.
They fled due to intense violence and hunger in their home country.
In the past four days, about 2,500 more Congolese refugees have entered Uganda, escaping the escalating violence across the border.
Many of these refugees include pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and young children.
The M23 rebels have been intensifying their insurgency in eastern Congo since 2022.
The UN recently reported that Uganda might be supporting the rebels, though Uganda denies these claims.
Rwanda has also been accused of backing M23, which it denies.
The conflict has displaced over 1.7 million people in North Kivu, raising the total number of displaced Congolese to 7.2 million.
Despite the Congo military’s efforts with drones and aircraft, the M23 continues to expand its control.
