The Uganda People’s Defence Forces has “put out of action” six attackers suspected to be members of the CODECO (Cooperative for Development of the Congo) rebels in Zeu Forest, Zombo district.

In a statement released by the UPDF Spokesperson, Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, the military’s actions happened after 20 men disguising as forest workers attacked UPDF personnel in Zeu Forest.

“Today, 16 July 2021 at 6:00am, a Uganda’s Peoples’ Defence Force repulsed an attack by about 20mewn disguising as fresh workers,” a statement from Brig Gen Byekwaso reads.

The statement furthers claims that the UPDF seized weapons from the attackers. These include an SMG with 11 live ammunitions, 11 bows with arrows and 3 machetes.

A UPDF soldier was killed in the attack while 3 others were injured. The injured have been airlifted to Bombo General Military Hospital.

According to Byekwaso, the attackers that were killed by UPDF soldiers include Ugandan informers .

“Those [Put out of Action] have been identified by locals as 2 Ugandans and 4 DRC nationals from Ayurpa and Mail trading centres in Muhagi Territory,” the statement reads.

The CODECO rebels are a militia group operating in Eastern Democratic republic of Congo. The organisation was once and agricultural cooperative. It later morphed into a robe;l group and is accused of war crimes by the United Nations (UN).