The UPDF has said it has killed at least 240 Lendu militias from the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO) in a two-day battle at Fataki, Eastern DR Congo.
The acting UPDF spokesperson, Col Chris Magezi said this week, heavily armed CODECO militants launched assaults on UPDF positions in Fataki on March 18 and 19, 2025, resulting in fierce fighting.
“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,” Col Magezi said.
He noted that fighting led to the deaths of 31 militants on the first day and an additional 211 on the second.
“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 UPDF recently announced it had deployed in the area to prevent fleeing Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) remnants from infiltrating amidst ongoing operations under Operation Shujaa, effectively countered the attacks.
According to Col Magezi, the militias attacked the UPDF blocking force on Wednesday and Thursday in early morning raids but were repulsed on each occasion with the group sustaining heavy casualties in the process.
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 several deaths and displacements.
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.
“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,” Col Magezi said.
