Three primary schools in Mupaka town council temporarily closed following a war in Eastern DRC

 

At least three primary schools in Mupaka town council, Kisoro district were yesterday temporarily closed following a war in eastern DRC where M23 rebels captured Busanza border.

The closed schools are Mabuyemeru, Gitovu and Muhanguzi primary schools.Villages like Busigi, Rurangara, Bugara, Butunga, and Rubona all in Mupaka town council were also affected following gun shells from DRC.

 The capture of the border happened hours after FARDC soldiers abandoned it and fled to the bush in the morning following heavy fighting in the nearby hills. Rebels also captured neighboring areas of Mutabo, Nyalutemba, Kabingo, and Musezero.

According to Congolese asylum seekers in Mupaka town council, Kisoro district in Uganda, M23 rebels started firing on empty barracks that belong to the Congolese forces in areas of Rutezo, Humure, Kitagoma, Kabaya and others on Wednesday night.

The Mayor of Mupaka town council, Ndekezi Emmanuel said that tension was high yesterday morning as five barracks were set on fire.

He also noted that the influx into Mupaka town council is too high yet there is food shortage in the area.

The Resident district commissioner (RDC), Hajji Shafique Ssekandi asked Ugandans not to harass refugees because the tension in their home country is unbearable. He noted that UNHCR is organizing transport to get all refugees to Nyakabande transit center.

Asylum seekers say that fighting is intensifying everyday which has made them suffer so much in the process of seeking refuge.

Meanwhile, M23 Rebels spoke to asylum seekers at Busanza border at around 3pm and asked them to get back home because the situation had normalized which made a few Congolese nationals cheer.

Busanza is the second border to be captured by M23 rebels after Bunagana border that has been under M23 control for the last six months.