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Uganda Peoples Defence Forces soldiers have put out of action four rebels from DR Congo armed with machetes that attacked Zeu subcounty, Zombo district on Friday.
According to UPDF spokesperson Brig Flavia Byekwaso revealed that rebels were repulsed and one gun was recovered.
It’s suspected that they belong to CODECO a rebel formation made up of Alur and Lendu fighters.
“Today at 6:00am, UPDF unit at Zeu in Zombo repulsed an attack by 20 men disguising as forest workers. We captured 02, put out of action 04 & got 01 gun plus bows/arrows,” she said.
She added: “Sadly, we lost 01 soldier (MHSRIP). The group is suspected to be criminals associated to DRC’s CODECO rebels.”
The UPDF solders are pursuing them in the jungles.
The Commander of Land Forces Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed the report.
“Yes, our unit in Zeu, Zombo District was attacked by Congolese rebels called CODECO (Cooperation for the Development of Congo),” Muhoozi said.
He added: “Our boys performed brilliantly and repulsed the attackers.”
Last week, Muhoozi said the so-called ‘Colonel Atochon’, Commander of the rebel group that attacked UPDF troops in Zombo in March of last year, surrendered to UPDF.
“A few days before that, the ADF terrorist cell that attacked General Katumba Wamala was crushed by Uganda Police. Uganda ni hatari!”
Colonel Malik Atocho, the alleged commander of the attack on the UPDF barracks in Zombo in March 2020 that left four soldiers dead, was whisked off from Arua hospital last week under tight UPDF security for further management in Kampala after his condition deteriorated.
Col. Atocho who is based in DR Congo managing a rebel group reportedly handed himself to authorities in Zombo early this week for treatment after showing signs of COVID-19.
On being tested, he was reportedly found to be COVID-19 positive and admitted at Paidah Health Center 4 for one day before he was transferred to Arua regional referral hospital COVID-19 treatment center for better management.
After spending three days on oxygen at Arua hospital Covid19 treatment center, Atocho’s condition did not improve forcing the authorities to refer him for further management at an unknown COVID-19 Center in Kampala.
The 409 UPDF Brigade in West Nile is reportedly involved in intelligence coordination in DR Congo to locate the base of the rebels.
On the fateful day of 6th March 2020, the rebels who were based in the jungles of Ajere, Nyapea and Janguokoro in Zombo and parts of DR Congo armed with machetes, bows, arrows and clubs launched a surprise attack on the UPDF detach and killed four officers.
The army commanded by Major Cease Olweny later called for re-enforcement from UPDF fourth division and launched an air raid inside Congo, killing 23 of the attackers and captured 21.
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