By KT Reporter
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has confirmed an attack on Ugandan territory along the Uganda–Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border on Lake Edward, near Rweshama Landing Site in Rukungiri District, which left five people dead. The incident occurred on October 1, 2025.
According to sources from the DRC side, a group of Congolese sailors was on the lake near Kasindi Port in Beni Territory, North Kivu Province, when UPDF marine allegedly accused them of violating territorial boundaries. Reports indicate that the UPDF opened fire, killing four of them.
However, Major Kiconco Tabaro, the Public Information Officer for the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division, gave a different account. He told our reporter on Thursday that UPDF soldiers deployed at Rweshama Landing Site in Bwambara Sub-county, Rukungiri District, had been alerted that Ugandan fishermen were being robbed on the lake.
“On rushing to the scene, our soldiers came under heavy gunfire, which killed Sergeant Johnson Muhindo, the commander of the response team,” Major Tabaro said. He added that the UPDF soldiers returned fire at the attackers, who were on a canoe. During the exchange, the assailants abandoned their vessel and drowned in the lake.
According to Major Tabaro, the UPDF recovered a canoe that the attackers had been using, two light machine guns, five submachine guns, and a 25-horsepower boat engine. Investigations are ongoing to establish the identity and motive of the assailants.
Tabaro urged residents of Rweshama and surrounding communities to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue. He emphasized that the overall security situation remains stable and that tourism activities, including those in Queen Elizabeth National Park, are continuing without disruption.
Security on the Congolese side of Lake Edward remains volatile, as parts of the area are controlled by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and other Mai-Mai militia groups. This is not the first time a cross-border exchange of gunfire has occurred on Lake Edward. In July 2018, a Ugandan soldier was killed and two Congolese soldiers were injured in a similar incident.
While DRC authorities accused the UPDF of opening fire, Uganda maintained that its forces acted in self-defence after being attacked by unidentified armed men during a patrol on the Ugandan side of the lake. That exchange also claimed the lives of 12 fishermen.
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