The Ugandan government on Wednesday sent a contingent of one thousand troops to the troubled eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reported TRT World.
Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Commander of Land Forces, flagged off the soldiers at a function held in Bunagana, at the border with DRC. The troops will cross the Bunagana border in Kisoro District to reach DR Congo.
During the flagging-off ceremony, Lt Gen Muhanga described the occasion as another chapter in the peacekeeping operations that UPDF has got involved in. He said as part of the mission at least 5,000 Ugandan soldiers are being deployed to protect civilians against attacks by M23 rebels and achieve peace in Rutshuru territory and the neighboring areas in the North Kivu province in DR Congo. The M23 is a Tutsi- led group that went inactive but remerged last year.
Lt Gen Muhanga emphasized that Ugandan soldiers will work as per instructions by the East African heads of state.
The contingent will be commanded by Col Michael Hairoba.
Speaking during the flag-off, Col Hairoba said the Ugandan troops being sent to the DRC are prepared, well-trained, and ready for the task. He said they will be ambassadors of peace.
He also appealed for support from the civilians. He said the relationship between the soldiers and the civilians is like fish and water that without the support of the locals, the soldiers won’t be able to operate effectively.
Col Hairoba appealed for full support from all the faction to be able to deliver on the task. He warned the soldiers that indiscipline on their part will not be tolerated.
The Ugandan troops will join other troops from Burundi and Kenya that have already been deployed in the eastern DRC to support the local military.
