Two civilian pilots, one Ugandan and one South Sudanese, were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen while approaching Kavumu Airport in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on March 27, 2025.
The pilots were on a mission to airlift International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff to Entebbe when they were attacked and taken hostage.
In response to reports suggesting that the abducted individuals were linked to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), UPDF spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi clarified that the two were civilian pilots, not part of Uganda’s military.
However, he assured that the UPDF stands ready to assist in rescue efforts to secure their safe return.
The eastern DRC remains a hotspot for armed groups, with several factions operating in the region, leading to persistent security threats.
Uganda is conducting joint military operations with the DRC’s armed forces, particularly against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), to stabilize the area.
