The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement confirming the incident later in the day.
The joint forces initiated a search operation around 5:30 a.m. after receiving intelligence about a suspected UPDF hideout in the area. However, upon noticing the presence of law enforcement, the militants opened fire, prompting a retaliatory response from the security forces and triggering a firefight.
During the exchange, one UPDF member was shot dead at the scene, while other militants managed to flee. Following the gunfight, law enforcement personnel recovered several items from the area, including one M-16 assault rifle, two rounds of MG/Sniper ammunition, 90 rounds of rifle ammunition, a walkie-talkie, and 12 mobile phones.
The army's operation to apprehend the escaped militants is ongoing, the ISPR added.