Entebbe — The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Saturday met with Lt Gen Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), to discuss security cooperation in eastern DRC.
The meeting, held at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe, brought together senior military officials from both sides, including Brig Gen Givenz Kishombe Sichali, Force Chief of Staff, and Col Patrick Locatelli, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations and Plans, representing MONUSCO.
From the UPDF, the CDF was joined by Commander Land Forces Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, and Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security Maj Gen Richard Otto.
Discussions focused on enhancing coordination in Eastern DRC, where UPDF troops are engaged in operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and other terrorist groups. The MONUSCO Force Commander lauded the UPDF’s efforts in stabilizing the region and emphasized the importance of synchronized operations and intelligence sharing between the two forces.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba welcomed the commitment, highlighting the ongoing joint Operation Shujaa with the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), which has successfully degraded ADF and other terrorist networks, contributing to improved security and civilian protection in the region.
Both parties reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen collaboration, ensuring continued stability in eastern DRC and promoting peace and security in the broader Great Lakes region.
This engagement underscores Uganda’s role as a key partner in regional peacekeeping and highlights the UPDF’s commitment to cooperative security initiatives with international forces.
