The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has confirmed the death of Sergeant Johnson Muhindo during an exchange of fire on Lake Edward, along the Uganda–Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border.
The October 1 clash, which occurred near Rweshama landing site in Rukungiri district, left at least five people dead, including four believed to be Congolese nationals.
According to reports from the DRC side, a group of Congolese sailors operating near Kasindi Port in Beni Territory, North Kivu Province, was allegedly fired upon by UPDF marines after being accused of violating Ugandan territorial waters.
However, the UPDF offered a different account. Maj Kiconco Tabaro, public information officer for the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division, said the soldiers had responded to a distress call from Ugandan fishermen who were being robbed on the lake.
“On rushing to the scene, our soldiers came under heavy gunfire, which killed Sgt Johnson Muhindo, the commander of the response team,” Tabaro said.
He added that the soldiers returned fire against the attackers, who later abandoned their canoe and drowned in the lake. According to Tabaro, the army recovered two light machine guns, five submachine guns, a 25-horsepower boat engine, and the attackers’ canoe.
He said investigations are ongoing to identify the armed group and their motive. Tabaro urged residents around Rweshama to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, stressing that the overall security situation remains stable.
Tabaro said tourism activities, including those in Queen Elizabeth National Park, are continuing normally.
Security along the Congolese side of Lake Edward remains volatile, with parts of the area controlled by the M23 rebels and Mai-Mai militias. This is not the first cross-border skirmish between Ugandan and Congolese forces on the lake.
In July 2018, a similar exchange left one Ugandan soldier and 12 fishermen dead, while two Congolese soldiers were injured. Then, as now, Kinshasa accused the UPDF of aggression, while Uganda insisted its forces acted in self-defence after being attacked on its side of the border.
About the Author
