DRC, Uganda Expand Joint Military Operation to Bunia

Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo – The governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda have agreed to expand Operation Shujaa, their joint military campaign, into Bunia, Mahagi, and Djugu territories in Ituri Province, following a sharp escalation in violence involving the CODECO militia and Ugandan forces.

The decision was reached after two days of high-level talks in Bunia between General Muhanga Kayanja, Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Forces, and General Ychaligonza Jacques, Director of Operations and Intelligence for the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).

The expanded mission aims to neutralize ADF terrorists and local armed groups that have rejected peace efforts and continue to destabilize the region.“The aim is to restore peace throughout the Ituri region, which has been plagued by armed violence for years,” said a joint statement issued after the meeting on Friday.

Renewed Clashes and Civilian Killings in Djugu

The announcement came as fighting intensified near Fataki, where CODECO fighters clashed with UPDF troops in the village of Bethléem.

Local residents reported heavy gunfire and explosions that echoed throughout Fataki, forcing civilians to flee.

The fresh violence followed a brutal attack last week by CODECO militias at the Lodda displaced persons’ camp, where six people, including four children, were killed.

The clashes are part of a broader and increasingly violent confrontation between the UPDF and CODECO. Recently, in a major confrontation in Fataki, UPDF forces repelled sustained attacks by CODECO militants over two days. According to the UPDF, 242 militants were killed, making it one of the bloodiest engagements of the operation to date.

However, the victory came at a cost. Colonel David Byaruhanga, a senior UPDF officer, died from injuries sustained during the battle. According to UPDF acting spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi, the colonel was wounded by a malfunctioned RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) fired during combat.

CODECO’s Reign of Terror in Ituri

The Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) has long been blamed for some of the most brutal atrocities in eastern DRC.

The Lendu-dominated militia has been responsible for massacres, ethnic killings, village burnings, and the targeting of Hema civilians for over a decade. The group has recently been linked to a strategic alliance with the ADF, further complicating the security environment.

CODECO’s attacks, especially in Djugu and Mahagi, have driven tens of thousands of people from their homes. Local and international humanitarian organizations are warning of a deepening crisis as violence spreads and access to aid becomes increasingly restricted.

With the inclusion of Bunia in Operation Shujaa’s scope, the DRC and Uganda are signaling a new and more aggressive phase in their fight against armed groups in Ituri.

Originally launched in late 2021 to target ADF strongholds in North Kivu and Ituri, the operation now appears set to tackle a broader range of militias resisting disarmament and reintegration.