Katungu Mbaka Darke’s life took a devastating turn in July 2022 when, at around 9 p.m., members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) abducted her during a deadly attack in Lume village in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

During her captivity, Katungu endured severe abuse and pressure to abandon the Christian faith she had grown up with. Despite the demands of her captors, Darke said she continued to trust in Jesus. 

“I was still young when I was abducted,” she said. “One of them forced me into sex. They also forced me to accept Islam and memorize some Quranic verses. I just accepted, but in my heart, I knew Jesus was God.” 

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers eventually rescued Katungu in Ituri Province. During her captivity, she had two children with a rebel. She also reported that her husband regularly facilitated connections between ADF members and North Kivu. 

Kimbi Tsobo, the chief of Lume, confirmed Katungu’s abduction and described the emotional toll her disappearance had taken on her family and her community. 

“Katungu was abducted, and her family had reached a point where they believed they would never see her again,” Tsobo said. “Her return is a deeply emotional moment for the family and the entire community. The burial ceremony after her disappearance represented an attempt to find closure in the face of unbearable uncertainty. We thank God that she has come back alive after all these years.” 

Kasereka Mapathi Japhet, chief of the Rwenzori sector, condemned the abduction and stressed that such acts were unacceptable. 

Katungu’s experience highlights the suffering endured by civilians abducted by armed groups in eastern DRC. The abduction of young people, sexual violence, and coercion into religious practices are serious violations of human dignity, personal freedom, and religious liberty.  

For survivors, returning home may be only the beginning of a difficult journey toward recovery and rebuilding their lives. 

Church leaders in Mutwanga have thanked the Lord following Katungu’s return. For a Christian community that continued praying while her family feared the worst, her rescue has brought deep emotion and renewed hope. Her story represents many others who remain in captivity, separated from their families and communities. 

“We thank God because the daughter we thought we had lost has returned alive,” one church leader said. “Her return reminds us that we must never forget those who disappear into the hands of armed groups. We pray for every captive who is still suffering in the bush, for every mother waiting for a child, and for every family that has lost hope.”

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