Two Suspected Congolese Militiamen Gunned Down on Lake Albert in Kikuube

Reported By Spurb Ernest

The clash occurred on Tuesday at around 3 p.m. near Senjojo landing site in Buhuka Parish, Kyangwali Sub-county.

Uganda People’s Defense Forces- UPDF have shot dead two suspected Congolese militiamen during a fierce gun battle on Lake Albert in Kikuube District. The clash occurred on Tuesday at around 3 p.m. near Senjojo landing site in Buhuka Parish, Kyangwali Sub-county. 

Six other suspected militiamen were injured and arrested, and six firearms were recovered during the operation. Security authorities have yet to reveal the identities of the deceased and the injured. According to information gathered by Uganda Radio Network (URN), the armed men, dressed in Congolese military camouflage, crossed into Ugandan waters and held six local fishermen at gunpoint, demanding they surrender their boats, fishing nets, and engines. 

The fishermen managed to alert the UPDF, prompting a rapid military response. Before the soldiers could intervene, the suspected militiamen opened fire, triggering an exchange that left two of them dead. Julius Hakiza, spokesperson for the Albertine Region Police, confirmed the incident, noting that no UPDF personnel were injured during the skirmish. 

He said the bodies of the deceased have been taken to Kyangwali Health Centre IV mortuary for postmortem, while the injured suspects are receiving treatment under tight security. Ugandan security agencies have contacted their counterparts in Ituri Province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, to trace the origin of the attackers.

Local leaders expressed concern over repeated attacks by suspected Congolese militia. Reginald Ngamita, LC2 Chairperson of Buhuka Parish, said Ugandan fishermen on Lake Albert frequently lose their gear—including boats, engines, nets, and hooks—to armed raiders. He claimed that stolen items are often returned only after victims pay the ransom.

Vincent Alpha Opio, Vice Chairperson of Kikuube District, has called on Ugandan security agencies to step up patrols on the lake to safeguard fishermen. This is not the first such incident on Lake Albert. In April 2020, two suspected Congolese militiamen were shot dead by UPDF soldiers near Kaiso landing site in Buseruka Sub-county, Hoima District.

Five others were arrested and detained at Hoima Central Police Station, and three AK-47 rifles with 47 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Attacks by suspected Congolese militiamen have plagued Ugandan fishermen since 2018. In March 2021 alone, armed groups allegedly robbed 19 boat engines and abducted 16 Ugandan fishermen, who were later detained at Tchomia Landing Site in Bunia District. Each fisherman was released after reportedly paying a ransom of USD 50.