### Uganda Enhances Security at Border Region with DRC After Deadly Attack
In response to a deadly attack by suspected Congolese militia, the Ugandan military has intensified security measures along the shared border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly on Lake Edward. Kiconco Tabaro, spokesperson for the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) Second Division, announced on Thursday that the army has ramped up patrols following the incident last week.
The attack occurred on October 1 at Rweshama Landing Site in the western district of Rukungiri, where armed individuals targeted Ugandan fishermen, robbing them and killing the commander of the UPDF response team. Tabaro detailed to Xinhua that the UPDF retaliated with fire against the attackers, who were aboard a canoe. The canoe was subsequently recovered from the lake, containing two light machine guns, five submachine guns, and a 25-horsepower engine. No attackers were captured, with the possibility that they drowned.
Tabaro emphasized the UPDF’s vigilance, stating, “Our security forces are active along our western borders. We are always ready to respond instantaneously and in a more lethal manner in case of any attempt to disturb the peace and stability of Uganda.” He added that investigations are underway to identify the attackers and their intentions, urging residents of Rweshama and nearby communities to stay calm and cooperate with security agencies.
This incident unfolds amid ongoing joint military efforts between Uganda and the DRC. The two nations launched “Operation Shujaa” in November 2021 to combat Allied Democratic Forces rebels in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The heightened security aims to maintain stability in the volatile border region, where cross-border threats persist despite collaborative operations.
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Source: The Independent