Armed forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and Uganda (UPDF) clashed on Tuesday, May 15, near Rukwanzi Island on Lake Albert, about 55 kilometers from Bunia.
According to Bienvenue Kaijanate, coordinator of civil society in Bahema Sud, the confrontation was triggered by allegations that Ugandan marines had crossed into Congolese waters and harassed Congolese fishermen.
“When the marine forces of both countries encountered each other on the lake, they exchanged fire. Some soldiers were killed and others injured,” he said, though exact casualty figures are still unknown.
The Congolese forces present included FARDC soldiers, police securing the lake borders, and staff from the Lake Albert Security Division.
A local fisherman reported that following the shootout, Ugandan forces evacuated the wounded and seized boats and weapons from Congolese marines, taking them into Uganda.
Despite civil society and local reports, neither side has officially confirmed the incident, and the military command in Ituri province has remained silent.
This is not the first time clashes have erupted between Ugandan and Congolese lake patrols, despite ongoing discussions between the two governments.
Security analysts warn that no lasting solution has been implemented to manage maritime border disputes or protect civilians, especially on a lake as economically critical as Lake Albert, which supports fishing, transport, and natural resources. The area has long suffered from abuse, inequality, and illegal military operations that escalate regional tensions.
