The key points are temporarily unavailable. You can still read the full Story below.
Main Points
Eleven Congolese civilians were released on Saturday, 19 September 2026, after being detained by Ugandan security forces at the Busunga border crossing. The crossing, located approximately 85 kilometres from Beni in North Kivu, is an unofficial point of entry that has been subject to heightened scrutiny amid the 17th Ebola epidemic declared in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in May 2026.
The individuals, who were mostly women, were arrested on Thursday, 17 September after crossing the border illegally to obtain essential supplies. Ugandan authorities cited violations of restrictions designed to prevent the spread of Ebola as the reason for the arrests.
Following the payment of a fine, the civilians were released and subsequently handed over to Congolese authorities at Nobili, a locality also about 85 kilometres from Beni.
The president of a local civil society organisation urged residents to observe the current restrictions and health measures, warning that non‑compliance could lead to further incidents. The organisation also advised people to wait for the official reopening of border points before attempting to cross into Uganda.
Since the outbreak of Ebola in the region, Ugandan officials have intensified border controls with the Democratic Republic of Congo to mitigate the risk of disease transmission.
Article source: www.radiookapi.net | Image credit: www.radiookapi.net
