Ugandan troops arrive in DRC for peacekeeping mission

By Elizabeth Ankunda

31^st March 2023

A contingent of Ugandan troops has finally crossed into the North Kivu province of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for a peacekeeping mission.

The deployment made under the EAC Regional Force, to an area which is entirely under conquest by the M23, is in accordance with recommendations by the mini-summit of Heads of State held in Angola’s capital, Luanda on November 25, 2022, and the Directives of the 20th Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State held on February 4, 2023, in Bujumbura, Burundi.

A brigade of 5,000 Ugandan troops was flagged off to cross for a peace mission in Rutshuru territory, on Wednesday by Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, the UPDF Land Forces Commander and crossed through Bunagana border at exactly 09:45am this morning.

After crossing, the troops parked on the DR Congo side of the border as military officials under the EAC Regional Force held another closed-door meeting with M23 leadership for about an hour.

After the meeting, the contingent drove to Kiwanja in Rutshuru where they will camp until deployment kicks off.

Major General Jeff Nyaggah, the EAC Regional Force Commander is optimistic that the deployment of UPDF will usher peace that will see the re-opening of the Uganda-DR Congo border of Bunagana and the resumption of trade and road transport connecting- Bunagana-Rutshuru-Goma.

Nyaggah called upon all civilians who fled Rutshuru due to fighting between M23 rebels and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers to return home adding that the security of UPDF under the EAC Regional Force is now fully guaranteed.