The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) troops serving under Operation Shujaa in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have conducted a troop rotation involving the 2 Mountain Battalion, 83 Battalion and Makindye Battalion.
The rotation was overseen by the Joint Task Force Commander, Operation Shujaa, who is also the Mountain Infantry Division Commander, Major General Stephen Mugerwa.
Addressing the troops at Mungamba Military Base in Ituri Province, Maj Gen Mugerwa commended them for their contribution to the successes registered against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
He said that the joint forces had pushed the ADF terrorists far from Uganda’s border, particularly through the Mwalika Valley, significantly reducing the threat posed by the group and contributing to improved security in both Uganda and the DRC.
Maj Gen Mugerwa, however, reminded the returning troops that the mission was not yet over, as the ADF had not been completely eliminated.
He also cautioned the troops against promiscuous behaviour, emphasising the importance of maintaining good health as they continued to serve.
“We still have the duty of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda. That is why you need to be healthy,” he said.
Operation Shujaa is a joint military offensive launched in November 2021 by the UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the ADF in the eastern DRC provinces of Ituri and North Kivu.
