The heavily armed Lendu militants, fighting under the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO), launched a series of attacks on a Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) battle group on 18 and 19 March 2025. The fighters attempted to overrun the Ugandan troops in early morning raids but were repelled each time, suffering heavy casualties.
According to UPDF, 31 CODECO militias were killed in action on Wednesday, while another 211 died in Thursday's counteroffensive.
The Ugandan army lost one soldier, and four others sustained injuries. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to Uganda for medical treatment and are expected to recover.
The UPDF was deployed in the region weeks ago as part of 'Operation Shujaa', a joint military campaign with the Congolese army (FARDC) aimed at preventing remnants of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) from infiltrating the area.
Security officials say CODECO recently formed an alliance with ADF, intensifying its attacks on Congolese communities, particularly the Hema ethnic group in Ituri.
The group's brutal raids have left hundreds of civilians dead, including women and children, while entire villages have been torched and looted. The arrival of UPDF forces in Fataki, as well as the nearby towns of Bunia and Mahagi, has been seen as a relief by local communities that have endured relentless attacks by Lendu militias and their allies.
Additionally, Ugandan troops are expected to help curb the growing refugee crisis, as hundreds of Congolese civilians have been crossing into Uganda in search of safety due to the ongoing violence.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/drc-ugandan-troops-kill-242-codeco-militias-in-two-days
