UPDF kills 242 CODECO militias in fierce Eastern DRC battle at Famaki

Kampala, (UG):- The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Friday said it successfully repelled consecutive attacks killing 242 militias of the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO) in a two-day battle at Fataki, Eastern DR Congo.

According to a statement released by UPDF Acting Spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi, the heavily armed CODECO militants launched assaults on UPDF positions in Fataki on March 18 and 19, 2025, resulting in substantial casualties among the insurgents.

“Hundreds of heavily armed Lendu militants fighting under CODECO – the Cooperative for Development of the Congo this week attacked a UPDF Battle Group stationed in Fataki, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for two consecutive days in an attempt to dislodge it and failed,” the UPDF statement read on Friday evening.

The statement added the UPDF commandos, deployed in the area to prevent fleeing Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) remnants from infiltrating amidst ongoing operations under Operation Shujaa, effectively countered the attacks.

The confrontations led to the deaths of 31 militants on the first day and an additional 211 on the second. The UPDF reported one fatality (Col David Byaruhanga) and four injuries among its soldiers, who have since been evacuated to Uganda for further medical attention.

“The UPDF suffered one fatality, while 4 other soldiers were injured over the course of the attacks. The UPDF casualties have since been evacuated to the rear in Uganda for further management, with all the injured soldiers expected to recover,” the statement read.

“The militias attacked the UPDF blocking force on Wednesday and Thursday in early morning raids (18-19 March 2025) but were repulsed on each occasion with the group sustaining heavy casualties in the process. 31 militias were killed in action on Wednesday, and another 211 died on Thursday morning, yesterday. The UPDF suffered one fatality, while 4 other soldiers were injured over the course of the attacks.

The CODECO militia, primarily composed of Lendu ethnic group members, has been implicated in numerous violent incidents in the Ituri province. The group has targeted various communities, especially those from the Hema ethnic group, leading to significant loss of life and displacement.

In recent months, the group has intensified its attacks, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, predominantly women and children, and the destruction of entire villages through looting and arson.

​The violent rebels recently struck a pact with the ADF terrorist group and have over the last few months stepped up violent attacks against other Congolese communities in the Ituri Province region, especially those from the Hema ethnic group.

Col Magezi explained that UPDF’s presence in Fataki and neighbouring towns such as Bunia and Mahagi has been welcomed by local communities that have endured relentless assaults by CODECO and allied militias.

“The UPDF deployment in the northern Ituri region is also expected to stem the flow of refugees, hundreds of whom have been crossing the international border into Uganda for several weeks now seeking safety and protection,” the UPDF statement concluded.