The Congolese government received these soldiers at the Kasindi-Lubiriha border in North Kivu Province, which connects the DRC and Uganda. The handover ceremony was attended by various officials from both countries.

Those present included immigration authorities from both the Congolese and Ugandan sides, senior military officers such as the Military Governor of North Kivu, Gen. Evariste Somo; Gen. Mugisa Joseph, commander of the Sokola 1 Grand Nord military operations; and Maj. Gen. Stephen Mugerwa of the UPDF, who oversees Operation Shujaa, the joint military mission between Uganda and the DRC.

These soldiers had crossed into Uganda in January this year while fleeing clashes with M23, which later defeated the coalition of DRC government forces and captured the city of Goma and surrounding areas.

The DRC also currently has more than 131 soldiers who fled into Rwanda, where they are being hosted in Rubavu District in the Western Province.