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Further Reading

Union of Patriotic Congolese (UPC)

In August 2002 the Union of Patriotic Congolese (UPC - Union des Patriotes Congolais), a faction predominantly of Hema ethnicity and supported by Rwanda, drove forces of the RCD-Liberation Movement (RCD-ML), led by Mbusa Nyamwisi, from the provincial capital, Bunia, and killed members of the Lendu and Ngiti ethnic groups, seen as RCD-ML supporters.

In January 2003 Vital Kamerhe, the DRC's commissioner-general in charge of peace in the Great Lakes region, pointed to destabilizing actions by Uganda and Rwanda, including what he said was a "new rebellion" operating under the name of the Union of Patriotic Congolese (UPC), fostered by Uganda and led by three Ugandan generals in Ituri province.

On 18 February 2003 MONUC announced the postponement of the signing ceremony of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Ituri for 19 February 2003 in Bunia, following Thomas Lubanga's objections. The leader of the Rwanda-backed Union of Patriotic Congolese (UPC) created more obstacles in order to prevent some actors to the Ituri crisis from participating in the efforts for the cessation of hostilities and the pacification of the region.

On 15 March 2003 Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) recaptured the strategic airport of Munbgwallo in Ituri region of Eastern DRC from the Union of Patriotic Congolese (UPC) rebels of Thomas Lubanga. The UPDF ousted Thomas Lubanga's Union of Patriotic Congolese (UPC) rebel group from Ituri's main town, Bunia, on 06 March 2003.

On 12 May 2003 the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, MONUC, said the troubled northeastern town of Bunia has been taken over by rebel forces of the Union of Patriotic Congolese, UPC. According to MONUC spokesman in Bunia, the rebel forces led by the Hema ethnic group, succeeded in overpowering rival Lendu militiamen, after a fierce two-hour battle. As of June 2003 the Hema-centered Union of Patriotic Congolese militia still controled Bunia.