The Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Saturday held a strategic meeting with Lt. Gen. Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The MONUSCO delegation, which included Brig. Gen. Givenz Kishombe Sichali, Force Chief of Staff, and Col. Patrick Locatelli, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, met with senior UPDF officials at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe. UPDF attendees included Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of Land Forces; Lt. Gen. Jack Bakasumba, Chief of Joint Staff; and Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security.
The discussions focused on enhancing security collaboration in Eastern DRC, where UPDF forces are actively engaged in counterterrorism operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and other armed groups.
Lt. Gen. Gomes commended the UPDF’s role in maintaining regional stability, emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts, including intelligence sharing, between MONUSCO and Ugandan forces. “We aim to synchronize operations with UPDF and FARDC to ensure lasting peace and protect civilians in Eastern DRC,” he stated.
The meeting also highlighted the success of Operation Shujaa, a joint UPDF-FARDC initiative that has significantly degraded terrorist capabilities and restored relative stability in previously volatile areas of Eastern DRC.
Gen. Kainerugaba expressed appreciation for MONUSCO’s commitment to collaboration, noting that closer coordination between the forces will further bolster peacekeeping and security efforts in the region. Both delegations reaffirmed their dedication to continued cooperation in countering armed threats and promoting regional stability.
