A violent clash among Ugandan soldiers stationed in Zale, Mahagi Territory claimed the lives of three people, including two civilian women, local authorities confirmed. The incident occurred roughly 200 kilometers from Bunia.
According to local security officials, the dispute began over a personal matter involving a woman and escalated into gunfire at a bar near the local airstrip.
A sergeant, reportedly intoxicated at the time, accused his superior, a major, of pursuing a relationship with the woman.
During the altercation, the sergeant opened fire, killing the major and his bodyguard. He then shot the woman, resulting in her death, and injured a girl selling goods at the bar. The girl later succumbed to her injuries at a hospital in Mahagi.
Following the shooting, other Ugandan soldiers reportedly handcuffed the sergeant and transported him, along with the corpses of the victims, to Nebbi, Uganda.
Residents expressed anger and called for justice and accountability, particularly for the death of the young girl.
Civil society organizations in the area condemned the actions of the Ugandan soldiers, citing repeated misconduct and urging authorities to take corrective measures.
Ugandan forces have been active in the DRC since Operation Suuja in 2021, initially deployed to assist in countering the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Yet incidents of misconduct continue, including reports last week of a Ugandan soldier killing a captain over a financial dispute.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and tensions surrounding the presence of foreign troops in eastern DRC, raising questions about accountability and civilian safety in conflict-affected areas.