The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, held strategic discussions today with senior military leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) focused on enhancing regional security—particularly in eastern DRC.
The high-level meeting took place at the Special Forces Command (SFC) Headquarters and revolved around the progress and future of Operation Shujaa—a collaborative military initiative between the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). The joint operation aims to eliminate the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, which has long destabilized the region.
The visiting FARDC delegation included Maj Gen Nyembo Abdallah, commander of the Ituri sector, and Maj Gen Mandevu Bruno, commander of the North Kivu sector, along with other senior Congolese officers.
Gen Kainerugaba welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the strong cooperation demonstrated through Operation Shujaa. He reiterated Uganda’s commitment to working alongside FARDC to secure long-term peace and stability in the region, calling for continued collaboration in future operations.
Operation Shujaa has been widely praised for restoring a degree of calm in previously unstable areas, allowing civilians to return to their homes and resume normal livelihoods. Within Uganda, the joint efforts have disrupted ADF networks and significantly reduced their operational capabilities.
Although the group has largely been neutralized as a combat force, some elements are believed to remain in hiding, prompting sustained vigilance by both forces.
This meeting comes shortly after Gen Kainerugaba’s separate engagement with political and rebel leaders from the CODECO group, reinforcing Uganda’s dual approach of diplomacy and military coordination to resolve regional conflicts.
Also present at the meeting were the Commander of Land Forces, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, and other senior UPDF officials.