Uganda Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi and his DRC counterpart, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Christian Tshiwewe Songesaheld have held a joint meeting to review and evaluate the progress of Operation Shujaa.  

The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) in a statement said the meeting was part of the memorandum of understanding between the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to jointly fight the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terror group-based in eastern DRC.

Mbadi said the Wednesday meeting came at a critical stage that requires better decision-making by the joint forces. 

Gen Wilson Mbadi Mbadi (L) shares a light moment with Lt Gen Christian Tshiwewe Songesa

“Our efforts must bring peace and security in eastern DRC, especially in the area of Operation Shujaa to enable our people to engage in socio-economic activities for their well-being and cross-border trade,” Mbadi said.

“Your presence here today is a clear testimony of the importance you attach to the existing bilateral relations between our two countries which are growing by strength. Not only the importance you attach to the bilateral relations but also to Operation Shujaa for the pacification of that part of the country,” he added as he welcomed Tshiwewe.

The CDF said UPDF and FARDC (DRC armed forces) should continue to enhance co-operation in defence, especially in the areas of training and explore available opportunities in the defence industries for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.

Tshiwewe paid tribute and compassion to the UPDF troops who lost their lives and those injured in the battleground during the ongoing Operation Shujaa for the benefit of bringing peace.  

“We do not take for granted the sacrifice of the fallen UPDF men and women, casualties in the battleground and the families of the bereaved colleagues for the peace they have won for the good of the rest of the people in DRC and Uganda,” Tshiwewe said.

He saluted -UPDF commander Land Forces Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Operation Shujaa overall commander Maj Gen Dick Olum, who is also Mountain Division Commander and Maj Gen James Birungi, the Chief of Military Intelligence for their tremendous work in Operation Shuuja.

The meeting was attended by Muhanga, Olum, Birungi, Maj Gen Christian Ndayewel Okura (CMI, FARDC), Maj Gen Mpenzo Mbele Bruno (Commander 34^th military region, North Kivu) and Senior Officers from UPDF and FARDC.

In November 2021, Uganda and the DRC signed an MOU to conduct a joint military operation code-named: Operation Shujaa against the ADF in eastern DR Congo following escalated attacks by the rebels in both countries in 2021.

The joint operation by the UPDF and FARDC has since recovered over 9,500 rounds of ammunition from the ongoing operation against the ADF. Several guns have also been recovered, ADF combatants killed and others rescued.