In a bid to create a secure environment for the planned road construction, UPDF and their counterparts FARDC said they plan launch more offensive attacks against ADF rebels in Congo.
Maj Gen Bombelle Comille Ehola, and Maj. Gen Kayanja Muhanga the overall FARDC and UPDF Operation Shujaa Commanders on 16th January 2022, held a meeting at Hotel Kasindi in DRC, aimed at designing mechanisms of securing the road construction projects and opening up a second axis against ADF terrorists.
Gen Bombelle said that the Presidents of Uganda and DRC instructed them to carry out two tasks; eradicate ADF in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and secure the road construction projects.
“After the Presidents’ instructions, we agreed to meet and design the concept of operation to ensure that we eliminate ADF and make sure the road project from Kasindi-Beni- Goma route goes on unfettered,” said Gen Ehola, adding that the two assignments will go on concurrently.
Gen Kayanja Muhanga said that the meeting emphasis was to secure the road construction of the Kasindi – Beni – Butembo highway.
“The road construction was agreed upon by the two Presidents, so we are here to discuss modalities of how we are to jointly secure this project. Together with our counterparts this task will be executed satisfactorily,” promised Gen Kayanja.
He appreciated the two Presidents for bringing the two countries together to have peaceful coexistence that will spur trade and economic prosperity.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the two countries before the start of the operation, Operation Shujaa is meant to among others secure the works for the rehabilitation of the Kasindi – Beni – Butembo and Bunagana – Rutshuru – Goma Highways in Eastern DRC. The joint 223 Km road project, worth USD 330million was agreed upon by the Presidents of the two countries in November 2019, during President Tshisekedi’s state visit to Uganda.
Others who attended the meeting included Brig Gen Mputela Nkolito Bertin Sector Commander Sokola One, Brig Gen Ehonza Andre Axe sector Commander, Brigade Commanders and Liaison officers from UPDF.