(North Kivu, DRC) – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) confirmed on Friday that their soldiers were involved in a road accident earlier this week on the Beni-Biakato road in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The accident, which occurred on Tuesday, October 22, left several soldiers with minor injuries, according to Major Bilal Katamba, Public Information Officer for UPDF’s Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa. Maj. Katamba assured the public that all soldiers involved are out of danger, and the accident has not impacted ongoing operations in the region.
The accident took place near the Makeke area, between Mangina and Lebia. According to Maj. Katamba, poor road conditions were a significant factor in the incident, though investigations are ongoing to identify any additional causes. The UPDF, engaged in Operation Shujaa since 2021 to combat Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the DRC, has been operating in challenging terrain, with both air and ground transportation incidents occurring periodically due to the harsh conditions.
| Incident Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Accident | October 22, 2024 |
| Location | Makeke, Beni-Biakato road, North Kivu, DRC |
| Cause | Poor road conditions (primary) |
| Injuries | Minor injuries to several soldiers |
| Operational Impact | No impact on ongoing Operation Shujaa activities |
| Medical Response | Joint UPDF-DRC medical team stabilized soldiers |
UPDF launched Operation Shujaa in November 2021 in cooperation with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government to target ADF rebels believed responsible for bombings in Kampala, which led to several civilian casualties. The operation has seen heavy engagements in the DRC’s remote regions, where poor infrastructure has posed continuous logistical challenges.
While UPDF has faced incidents in this mission, including air crashes such as the fatal helicopter incident in October 2022, Maj. Katamba clarified that this week’s road accident involved only minor injuries. He expressed appreciation for the joint UPDF-DRC medical team for their prompt response in treating the injured soldiers and assured the public that the soldiers are safe.
“We thank our joint medical team for their quick action in stabilizing those injured,” Maj. Katamba said. He emphasized that UPDF’s operations in the DRC continue as planned, with no disruption to their mission of securing the area from rebel threats.
