NEWS – The spokesperson for the Ugandan contingent of the regional force, Captain Kato Ahmad Hassan has strongly denounced the misleading information circulating on a propagandist social media platform associated with the Wazalendo Militia Armed Group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accusing the UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Forces) of conducting military operations in Rutshuru territory, despite the expiration of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) mandate in the DRC.
In a press statement dated December 10, 2023, Captain Kato Ahmad Hassan clarified that the Wazalendo Militia Armed Group in the DRC had disseminated false information, alleging that they were holding UPDF soldiers captured as prisoners of war (POWs) during the Mushake battle between the M23 rebels and the FARDC Forces. The misleading post was made on their Twitter handle “Wazalendo” on December 8, 2023.
“We wish to draw your attention to the misinformation trending on a propagandist social media platform of the Wazalendo Militia Armed Group in the DRC, falsely accusing the UPDF of conducting military operations in Rutshuru territory amidst the expiry of the EACRF mandate in the DRC,” stated Captain Kato.
He emphasized that the information shared by the Wazalendo group was pure propaganda and a fallacy intended to tarnish the image of the UPDF. The goal was to divert attention from the contingent’s mandated withdrawal operations out of the DRC as directed.
“They also falsely claimed that they are holding some of our soldiers captured as POWs during the Mushake battle between the M23 rebels and the FARDC Forces, as posted on their Twitter handle ‘Wazalendo’ on December 8, 2023,” Captain Kato noted.
He further clarified, “We affirm that the UPDF has never operated with the M23 and has never set foot in Mushake, as claimed by the Wazalendo.”
Captain Kato revealed that following the expiry of the EACRF mandate, the UPDF ceased routine military activities in the general areas of Rutshuru territory, including Bunagana, Mabenga, Tshengerero, and Kiwanja, on December 8, 2023. The exception would be operations in support of humanitarian activities if called upon or in self-defense during withdrawal operations.
“Our primary focus at this moment is to ensure the safe movement of our troops, equipment, and the final exit from the DRC. The UPDF deeply respects the decisions made by the Heads of State Summit and the East African Community Chiefs of Defence Forces meetings, which subsequently directed the EACRF to withdraw from the DRC,” he stated.
Captain Kato emphasized that the UPDF is committed to ensuring that the withdrawal orders are carried out without any predicament.
