"Our forces have entered Mahagi and are now in control," Ugandas defense and military affairs spokesperson, Felix Kulayigye, told AFP.
According to Kulayigye, the Congolese army requested Uganda’s intervention following alleged civilian massacres carried out by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco) militia. However, he did not disclose further details.
Mahagi is located in Ituri province, near the Ugandan border, where at least 51 people were killed on February 10 by armed men linked to Codeco, according to local and humanitarian sources.
Codeco claims to protect the interests of the Lendu community, which primarily consists of farmers, against the Hema community, predominantly herders.
Uganda already has a significant military presence in other parts of Ituri under an agreement with the Congolese government.
Last month, Ugandan forces announced they had "taken control" of Bunia, the provincial capital.
Ituri borders North and South Kivu, two provinces that fell under the control of the M23 rebel group—backed by Rwanda—at the end of January.
Analysts warn that the increasing military involvement of Uganda and Rwanda in eastern DRC could trigger a conflict similar to the Second Congo War (1998–2003), which drew in multiple African nations and caused millions of deaths due to violence, disease, and famine.