Uganda takes in 5,000 refugees from Congo violence

By Patience Atuhaire

The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) says it has registered at least 5,000 refugees who've fled fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, crossing into the Ugandan border town of Bunagana.

The refugees will be transported to Nakivale settlement, where they will be screened, including for Covid-19.

Reports say that an armed group, believed to be the M23 rebels, carried out attacks in Chanzu and Runyonyi, in the country's eastern region of North Kivu.

Some of those fleeing told the BBC they had heard fighting on Sunday night and ran for their lives. The fighting is said to be happening less than 10km (six miles) from the Ugandan border.

This article originally appeared in BBC News.

Photo: BBC