Authorities in the western district of Kiruhura have arrested a 32-year-old man suspected of recruiting Ugandans into the Congolese M23 rebel group activities. According to the District Police Commander, Norman Musinga, the suspect Reuben Kamuhangi was arrested at Kyapa trading centre in Kiruhura district. Kamuhangi is a resident of Nyankumba cell, Sanga Sub County, Kiruhura district. Police said he was arrested as he was preparing to transport the six 6 ‘recruits’ to Democratic Republic of Congo after promising them a monthly pay of sh350, 000. The recruits are identified as Albert Muyambi, 24, of Bukanga in Isingiro district, a 19-year- old Livingstone Mafundo and Daniel Ntambara, 32, of Sembabule district. Others are Emmanuel Gumisiriza, 19, Katojo Marongo of Lwengo district, Julias Byabashaija, 35, of Kyidera in Kamuli district and 23-year-old James Murisa a Rwandase national.
Musinga said they have mounted a search for Sam Baguma who is alleged to have been working closely with Kamuhangi in the recruitment.
The March 23 Movement (French: Mouvement du 23-Mars), often abbreviated as M23 and also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army, is a rebel military group based in eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), mainly operating in the province of North Kivu.
The group is currently involved in an armed conflict with the DRC government which has led to the displacement of large numbers of people.
On 20 November 2012, M23 took control of Goma, a provincial capital with a population of one million people, but was requested to evacuate it by ICGLR as DRC government had finally agreed to negotiate with them.
On 23 March 2009, the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) signed a peace treaty with the DRC government, where it became a political party, and the M23 soldiers integrated into the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).
M23 takes its name from the date of these peace accords (March 23). The armed wing of the group is led by General Makenga Sultani, who has served as acting president of the group since the 28 February 2013 removal of Bishop Jean-Marie Runiga Lugerero, a former CNDP member.
