The Lendu-led militia, which has been blamed for ongoing massacres and ethnic violence in Ituri Province, expressed regret over its recent attack on Ugandan troops in the Fataki area of Djugu territory in March.
The ambush left one senior Ugandan officer, Col. David Byaruhanga, dead and triggered a fierce response from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), who reported killing more than 240 CODECO fighters in the aftermath.
'We were misled by malicious actors into opposing the presence of the UPDF in Fataki,' said Dunji Kulukpa Etienne, Vice President of the Lendu community in eastern DRC, who led the CODECO delegation.
'We regret what happened and reaffirm that the Lendu, Bahema, and Balega communities have no quarrel with Uganda or its army.'
The delegation, which included both political and military leaders of CODECO, met with Gen Muhoozi after being received in Uganda by Land Forces Commander Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga and Maj Gen Felix Busizoori of the 4th Infantry Division.
The meeting comes amid increasing concerns over the high number of armed groups in one of Africa's most volatile zones. Uganda, whose troops have operated in eastern DRC since 2021 under Operation Shujaa, has shifted from focusing solely on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to targeting other militias, including CODECO, following a surge in attacks on civilians.
'Uganda has always stood for peace and stability in eastern Congo,' Gen Muhoozi said during the meeting. 'We call on all armed groups to end the violence and work with us to protect civilians.'
As a sign of goodwill, the UPDF offered free medical treatment to wounded CODECO fighters in Ugandan military facilitiesâ€"an offer the rebel leaders reportedly welcomed.
CODECO, short for Cooperative for the Development of Congo, has been one of the most active and brutal armed groups in Ituri, accused of targeting the Hema ethnic community and undermining local peace efforts. Its apology to Uganda signals a potential shift in tone, but observers remain cautious, noting the group's history of splintering and inconsistent leadership.
Whether the meeting results in lasting cooperation or merely a temporary pause in hostilities remains unclear. However, the exchange in Entebbe represents a rare diplomatic opening in a region desperate for stability.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
