Forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), supported by local militias and Ugandan troops, repelled an early morning attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on the mining hub of Manguredjipa in North Kivu province on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
The assault, which began around 5:30 a.m., targeted the town located 100 kilometres west of Butembo in Lubero territory. Locals told HumAngle that the ADF rebels were first sighted at the Ngoma Institute in DRC, with sources saying the assailants approached from a farm in Mangingi, a peripheral quarter of Manguredjipa.
A priest from the St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Manguredjipa noted that the coalition forces were present “in large numbers” and quickly pursued the attackers. “Until 7 a.m. this morning, gunfire was still being heard in Manguredjipa,” the priest revealed.
A local of the Brazza area corroborated the swift action, saying, “They were not lucky to reach the centre of the town, because they arrived near a position of the Wazalendu, and the FARDC were on alert.”
Clashes were ongoing in the area where the rebels had invaded when HumAngle spoke to locals.
The incursion triggered a rapid displacement of residents from the southeastern area of Manguredjipa, including Brazza, Mangingi, and Matonge, who sought refuge in the town’s centre. Military analysts suggest the ADF aimed for the city’s commercial heart and a nearby health facility. While official casualty figures remain unknown, residents have reported one civilian fatality. A young man was hit by a bullet while fleeing his Mangingi quarter towards the centre of the town.
The ADF offensive on Manguredjipa follows clashes just the day before. On Monday, October 27, 2025, a coalition of FARDC, Wazalendo, and UPDF forces engaged ADF rebels spotted in N’tembe, a village ten kilometres from Manguredjipa.
One resident, Nelson, believes the Monday fighting was a prelude to the attack on the town. “We heard gunfire throughout the day on Monday, and the group of assailants targeted the position of our forces to get to Manguredjipa,” he said, adding that the daylight timing of the successful defence likely averted a greater tragedy. “God helping, they arrived in the town by daybreak. If they had arrived at night, we should have counted several deaths, especially as heavy rain fell in the town during the night.”
Forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), supported by local militias and Ugandan troops, successfully repelled an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on Manguredjipa’s mining hub in North Kivu province on October 28, 2025.
The early morning assault, commencing at 5:30 a.m., saw ADF rebels approaching from the Mangingi area’s farmlands. Residents reported significant coalition force presence that swiftly countered the ADF’s advances, maintaining gunfire exchanges until 7 a.m.
The attack prompted rapid resident displacement toward the town’s center and aimed at the city’s commercial and health facilities. While official casualty numbers aren’t confirmed, at least one civilian reportedly died. The ADF offensive mirrored previous clashes a day earlier, with military forces engaging rebels in N’tembe, suggesting a possible precursor to the main assault in Manguredjipa.
Locals believe timely defense during daylight thwarted a potential tragedy, especially as heavy rains challenged the night approach.