Gunfire Rocks Kitholhu, 11 Congolese Soldiers Held

On Tuesday night September 2, Kitholhu sub-county in Kasese district was turned into a battle field between the UPDF soldiers and the suspected renegade Congolese soldiers.

Kitholhu sub-county is along the Uganda DRC border and gunshots were heard all night long.

Hundreds of residents of Kitholhu sub-county fled their home and spent the night in bushes fearing a suspected rebel attack.

It all started when 11 suspected renegade Congolese soldiers crossed into Uganda at Kiraro Village in Kitholhu sub-county.

The UPDF patrol was well positioned on the ground and the next step was to request the suspected renegade Congolese soldiers to identify themselves.

Upon resisting the orders, the arrest order for illegally entering into Uganda was issued and the Congolese soldiers resisted arrest by firing live ammunitions at the UPDF soldiers.

The only option the UPDF was left with was to fire back at these renegade soldiers.

The UPDF soldiers managed to overpower the Congolese soldiers and disarmed them. They are currently detained at Kiraru barracks in Kasese.

In this battle, the UPDF recovered eight short machine guns, a pistol and two Rapid Propelled Grenades.

Lt. Ninsiima Rwemizuma, Rwenzori region UPDF spokesperson declined to reveal details about the shootout saying they were still verifying some facts.

Residents who fled their homes have now camped at Kathembo Catholic Church as calm is being restored.

Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo, the Kasese LC V chairperson says he is working with the army to restore calm along the border since the threat of the Congolese soldiers has been contained