Union of Congolese Patriots | |
---|---|
Union des Patriotes Congolais | |
Leaders | Thomas Lubanga Dyilo |
Dates of operation | 2001-present[1] |
Active regions | DRC–Rwandan border |
Ideology | Congolese nationalism |
The Union of Congolese Patriots (French: Union des Patriotes congolais, or UPC) is a political and militia group in Ituri, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, formed towards the end of the Second Congo War. It was founded by Thomas Lubanga in 2001[2] and was one of six such groups that sprung up in the mineral-rich Ituri region on the border with Uganda in the Ituri conflict.[1][3] The UPC supported and was primarily composed of the Hema ethnic group.[4]