While addressing a delegation of security chiefs, President Museveni guaranteed the people of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo total peace after the two countries launched joint operations to flush out the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) from Eastern Congo.
The President addressed the delegation of security chiefs from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) led by the Minister in charge of the National Defence Unit Dr. Gilbert Kabanda Kurhenga .
“We should work together to finish this problem. This was phase one. We are now ready for phase two. It is very easy for us to destroy those groups,” Museveni said.
The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) launched joint operations against ADF in Eastern Congo on November 30 with the bombardment of four major terrorist camps.
The two forces have since then captured several rebels and camps including Kambi Ya Yua and secured major routes in Eastern Congo to pursue the remaining ADF who have fled into the forests.
“Our experience is that, once you attack concentrations of the terrorists and they see that you have the capacity, they can’t challenge you army to army, they now go to pure terrorism. They break into small groups and they go to attack villagers,’’ Museveni said.
President Museveni then advised the DRC security chiefs to intensify regional and local security mechanisms to avoid further insurgencies especially in areas already secured by the joint forces.
Museveni mentioned five elements needed to strengthen security: mobile forces, zonal forces, local defense units per village, strategic forces (air forces, artillery), and to a lesser – extent special forces.
He said these will prevent later pockets of terrorism where rebels return to attack villagers and kill civilians advising the DRC government to use Local Defence Units (LDUs).
Ugandan Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja and his counterpart from the DRC Dr. Gilbert Kabanda Kurhenga signed the bilateral general agreement on Defence cooperation that will ensure joint operations between the armies of both countries. Dr. Gilbert Kabanda Kurhenga thanked President Museveni for his role in ensuring peace in the region.
The Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi also informed the President about the progress of the ongoing Operation-Shuja aimed at pacifying Eastern Congo, the ongoing road construction projects on the Kasindi – Beni – Butembo, and Bunagana – Rutshuru to ease movement of troops.
Operation Shujaa has been implemented following a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Uganda and the DRC government to conduct joint operations for the eradication of ADF in eastern DRC.
Phase one of Operation Shujaa has ended and Phase two of the operation has been launched with more UPDF troops sent to DRC to completely wipe out the ADF and construct roads.
