Since the morning of December 5, 2025, DRC, Burundian, and Wazalendo forces have launched attacks in parts of Uvira territory, including Katogota, Kamanyola, and the Luvungi groupement.
Shelling in Luvungi has forced residents to flee to other areas of Uvira that are not affected by the clashes, including Sange, Runingu, Ndolera, and Uvira town.
Bertrand Bisimwa, the AFC/M23 rebellion's deputy coordinator, said Burundian forces stationed in Burundi were targeting Kamanyola, Katogota, and Luvungi.
'This morning, Burundian troops in Burundi shelled densely populated areas in Kamanyola, Katogota, and Luvungi, causing civilian casualties, including children, and destroying homes, schools, churches, and markets,' Bisimwa said.
Footage shared on social media shows homes destroyed by the shelling. In one clip, a resident near Ngomo hill in Kamanyola reported, 'The first shell fell here. All the houses were destroyed. Six people died near Ngomo. Things are terrible.'
Lawrence Kanyuka, AFC/M23 spokesperson, added that the shelling of civilian areas began more than three days ago and that the group's fighters remain prepared to defend affected populations.
The fighting erupted despite ceasefire commitments made by both parties during the ongoing mediation efforts in Doha, Qatar, raising concerns about escalation of violence.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/shelling-in-uvira-afc-m23-points-fingers-at-burundi
