Despite several reports that over 200 of the M23 rebels who had been kept at a military facility in the country have been quietly escaping back into the Democratic Republic of Congo are missing, security authorities insist the number is just above 40.
It was not clear if M23 leader Sultani Makenga remained in the custody of Ugandan authorities. Makenga is the subject of U.S. sanctions, including a travel ban and assets freeze for “serious violations of international law involving the targeting of women and children” in armed conflict.
READ: Sultani Makenga launching M23 rebel attacks from ‘ Kisoro, Uganda’
This comes days after the DR Congo government said 200 of the former rebels had taken over a village in the east of the country.
Uganda still insists only 40 rebels are missing and 101 rebels were also arrested on Wednesday night in Mbarara as they tried to escape from Bihanga Military Training school in Ibanda and were planning to travel and re enter their country Democratic Republic of Congo.
It was against the 2014 agreement for the combatants to escape and this won’t be allowed.
READ: M23 ex-rebels busted selling 7 guns to Ugandans at Bunagana
The M23 had disguised themselves as regular travelers to avoid detection but were found out by the security who intercepted them.
Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said that they have been escaping quietly and getting absorbed among the Uganda general public which is against the protocol that was signed in 2014.
He said that the 101 combatants who had just disembarked from 4 vehicles were apprehended and whisked to the 2nd Division UPDF headquarters in Makenke where they are currently being detained.
“Uganda would like to inform the public and international community that currently there are 270 former M23 combatants still at Bihanga and would like restate to live by agreement and obligation that were entered into in 2014,” Opondo said.
Following the defeat of M23 in 2014, some of its fighters fled into Uganda. ALSO READ: M23 rebels regroup, executing Ugandans – Kisoro leaders
They were allowed to stay there under military guard after an agreement between the Congolese and Ugandan governments.
By Patson Baraire
