DRC Red Cross Mourns Two Volunteers Killed on Humanitarian Mission

Two dedicated volunteers of the Red Cross in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been killed while carrying out their humanitarian duties. Kabula Byamungu Mugisha and Romain Mugisho Mparanya were fatally shot on June 16th in Walungu Territory, located in South Kivu Province.

According to the Red Cross, the volunteers were engaged in an official mission to improve access to safe drinking water for vulnerable communities. They were reportedly attacked by unidentified armed assailants in the Musiru Centre area.

The victims were clearly identifiable, wearing the Red Cross emblem, a globally recognized symbol of neutrality and humanitarian aid. This tragic event underscores the severe risks that humanitarian personnel confront daily in the eastern part of the DRC.

The Red Cross has expressed its solidarity with the families of the deceased and the broader International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. As of now, Congolese security authorities have not released an official statement regarding the killings.

Walungu Territory is currently a hotspot for conflict, marked by clashes between national forces and various armed groups, including those fighting against the M23 rebel movement. Accusations of targeting civilians have been frequent from all sides involved in the ongoing conflict.

This incident is sadly not an isolated event. In March 2026, a UNICEF staff member was killed in a drone strike in North Kivu Province, an attack for which different factions traded blame. The deaths of Byamungu and Mugisho serve as a stark reminder of the dangerous environment in which vital humanitarian work is being conducted.

https://observer.ug/news/red-cross-condemns-killing-of-two-volunteers-in-drc