Uvira on Edge: Residents Flee as Joseph Kabila’s FRN Continues to Make Headlines
Minembwe Capital News (MCN)
Security concerns continue to grow in the city of Uvira, located in South Kivu Province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While some residents have begun fleeing the city, others continue with their daily activities despite growing fears about what the future may hold.
According to information obtained by Minembwe Capital News (MCN) from a resident currently in the city, during an interview with our newsroom on the morning of Wednesday, October 21, 2026, some residents have come to accept the claim that the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), led by Joseph Kabila Kabange, has taken control of Uvira.
Some Residents Head to Baraka, While Others Flee to Burundi and Tanzania
The resident told MCN that some people have already left Uvira, while others are continuing to make the decision to flee because of security concerns.
“I can tell you that here in Uvira, we have come to accept that Joseph Kabila’s FRN has already taken control of the city. Those who believe they could be targeted by accusations of supporting that group are fleeing. Some are taking the road through Fizi toward Baraka, while others are continuing on to Tanzania. Others are heading to Bujumbura, Burundi,” the resident said.
This account indicates that some residents have chosen to leave the city, while others continue with their normal routines, including running businesses and engaging in other activities to earn a living.
Distrust in Security Forces Contributes to Residents’ Decision to Flee
The resident said that some people are fleeing because they lack confidence in the ability of the DRC’s security forces to protect them if the fighting intensifies.
According to the resident, these forces include the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), Burundian troops, the Wazalendo and FDLR armed groups, as well as mercenaries from Europe and Asia.
In the resident’s view, there are concerns that these forces may be unable to protect civilians in the event of a major attack. The resident linked these concerns to the fighting between the forces and the M23 and MRDP-Twirwaneho groups, which the resident said have come together under the FRN.
Fighting Continues in the Mountains Overlooking the Rusizi Plain
These developments come after the FRN, led by Joseph Kabila Kabange, recently urged residents of Uvira, Kalemie, Kolwezi, Lubumbashi and Kinshasa to prepare to welcome the movement, stating that Joseph Kabila is one of their own.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in the highlands overlooking the Rusizi Plain, near the city of Uvira, which lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
While some residents continue to flee, others are still going about their daily activities. However, the course of the security situation over the coming hours and days will determine whether tensions escalate further or conditions begin to return to normal.
Minembwe Capital News (MCN)