UPDF, FARDC Commanders Meet to Review Operation Shujaa

By Wilson Kakuru On Dec 18, 2021 1,302

Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga (C) and other UPDF officers and their DRC counterparts in DRC jungles recently

The commanders from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) executing Operation Shujaa against Allied Democratic Front (ADF) rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday held an operational review meeting.

Deputy defence spokesperson Lt Col Ronald Kakurungu confirmed that Maj. Gen. Kajanja Muhanga and Maj. Gen. Camille Bombele Lohola of the FARDC held a meeting at the UPDF tactical headquarters near River Semliki to review operations.

Details of the meeting remained scanty however Kakurungu noted that the ADF may run but they can’t hide.

“UPDF & FARDC Comds executing OP Shujaa against ADF terrorists in E.DRC, Gens Kayanja & Bombele respectively yesterday held an operational review mtg at the UPDF tactical Hq near R.Semliki. ADF may run but they can’t hide,” said Col Kakurungu.

The meeting comes in the wake of several other meetings as the operation enters into its third week. It also comes against the background of a decision by the DRC’s political opposition support to the operation and presence of UPDF on their soil.

The meeting also comes in the wake of Thursday’s new strikes by the joint forces hitting two camps of the ADF in DR Congo. A total of six ADF camps have so far been hit since Operation Shujaa was launched on November 30, 2021.

The meeting also comes in the wake of a joint statement released last weekend indicating that the joint forces, had captured ADF terrorists, destroyed four camps, and rescued 31 Congolese hostages.

In a joint statement signed by UPDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso and Maj. Gen. Leon Richard Kansonga Cibangu of FARDC read: “The preliminary results of the airstrikes and artillery of November 30, 2021, shows that 31 Congolese hostages were released, 34 ADF terrorists captured and four enemy camps destroyed.”

60 rebels also surrendered to the joint forces.

The Government of Uganda accuses the ADF rebels of being behind the October and November bombings in Kampala.

It also accuses the rebel group of operating local cells responsible for several assassinations in the country.