Colonel Jean Pierre Lwamba, an officer in the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the commander of the 21st Brigade headquartered in Minembwe—a region inhabited by hundreds of thousands of Banyamulenge—has passed away.
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On Sunday, January 26, 2025, Col. Lwamba succumbed to a heart-related illness, according to official reports.
At the beginning of this month, he was evacuated from Minembwe and transferred to Uvira for medical treatment. However, sources within the 21st Brigade, speaking anonymously to KIVUPRIDE.com, claim that he was poisoned, alleging that this was the actual cause of his death.
Other reports confirm that Col. Lwamba had been suffering from heart disease. Initially, his condition seemed to improve upon arrival at the Uvira General Hospital in South Kivu, where he was receiving treatment.
Col. Lwamba was infamous in Minembwe for leading military operations that targeted the Banyamulenge community. He was widely regarded as one of the most brutal commanders in the region, following in the footsteps of Col. Katembo, who led operations in Minembwe between 2017 and 2019 and was also responsible for numerous atrocities against the Banyamulenge.
Under Col. Lwamba’s command, the 21st Brigade launched multiple attacks against Banyamulenge villages. Some of the deadliest assaults occurred on December 26, 27, and 28, 2024, targeting villages such as Lundu, Lwiko, Runundu, and Kalingi, leaving many dead.
According to Minembwe.com, Col. Lwamba passed away around 1:00 AM on Sunday night. His death came just after he had received official authorization to travel to Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, for further medical treatment.
