Senior military commanders of Uganda and DRC joint forces under Operation Shujaa on Friday concluded a bilateral coordination and evaluation meeting to streamline planning and assess the progress of operations against negative forces in the eastern DRC region. The discussions were held at the Governor’s office in Bunia from March 27 to 28, 2025.
The UPDF delegation was led by Lt. Gen. KAYANJA MUHANGA, Commander of Land Forces, accompanied by the Mountain Infantry Division commander based in Fort Portal, Maj. Gen. Richard Otto. The delegation also included Uganda’s Ambassador to the DRC, Hajji Farid Kaliisa. The FARDC delegation was led by Lt. Gen. YCHALIGONZA NDURU Jacques, Deputy Chief of the General Staff in charge of Operations and Intelligence. It also included the Military Governor of Ituri Province, Lt. Gen. LUBOYA NKASHAMA Johnny.
The meeting, among others, agreed to implement several measures that would enhance the protection and security of the population from attacks by violent armed groups operating in the area. The joint forces would also take steps to strengthen trust between the population and the joint forces, and the leaders further agreed to immediately deploy joint forces for patrols and provide protection for civilian convoy vehicles plying the Mahagi – Bunia highway (RN 27).
The local armed groups operating in the region were strongly urged to surrender and embrace the DRC government-led initiative for Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Stabilization Program (PDDRC-S). Otherwise, the
joint forces would be compelled to actively target local armed groups who refused to take advantage of the peace process through the PDDRC-S.
