Gen Kainerugaba holds talks with DR Congo top military officers

KAMPALA - The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has held a meeting with senior military officers from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). 

Top on the agenda was regional security, particularly in eastern DRC, his office has revealed.

The discussions centred on the ongoing Operation Shujaa, a joint military effort between the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and FARDC targeting ADF terrorists in the eastern Congo. 

The FARDC delegation comprised two Generals: Maj Gen Nyembo Abdallah - the Ituri sector commander, and Maj Gen Mandevu Bruno - the North Kivu sector commander and other senior FARDC officers. 

Gen Kainerugaba expressed gratitude for their visit and commended the strong spirit of brotherhood demonstrated in Operation Shujaa.

A media handout from his military assistant Col. Deo Akiiki states that CDF
reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to continued collaboration, emphasising the importance of sustained cooperation in future joint operations to enhance regional peace and security. 

The Tuesday meeting at the SFC Headquarters in Entebbe follows Gen Kainerugaba’s recent engagement with CODECO political and rebel leaders, underscoring Uganda’s continued diplomatic and military efforts to stabilise the region. 

The CDF has previously held multiple high-level discussions with DRC military officials, both in Uganda and the DRC. 

The Commander of Land Forces, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga and other senior UPDF officers attended the meeting.

Operation Shujaa, according to Col. Akiki has been credited with restoring stability in the region, enabling displaced civilians to return home and resume farming and business activities. 

In Uganda, the operation has significantly disrupted ADF operations, curtailing their previous capacity to launch attacks. 

UPDF leadership in recent reports stated that the ADF has been dismantled as a fighting force, though remnants still roam the forests in DRC.