President Museveni Convenes Joint Military Summit with FARDC to Review Operation Shujaa Progress

Share

KAMPALA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held a significant encounter yesterday with senior army officials from both the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) at State House Entebbe.

In this gathering, President Museveni, who simultaneously holds the position of Commander In Chief of UPDF, along with the senior army personnel, meticulously evaluated the advancements made in Operation Shujaa within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This engagement is a direct outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding established between the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The accord underscores their shared commitment to jointly combat the insurgent forces of the Allied Democratic Forces within the Eastern DRC region.

Heading the UPDF delegation was the esteemed Chief of Defence Forces, General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi. Meanwhile, the FARDC contingent was led by the distinguished Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Christian Tshiwewe Songesha.

During the session, President Museveni passionately advised the senior officers on the paramount importance of cultivating a close and amicable rapport between the armed forces and the local population. He emphasized that the success of their endeavors against adversarial forces heavily relies on the support and cooperation of the civilian population.

“The military should always maintain proximity to the people. The populace’s backing is an indispensable element in waging a successful war,” emphasized General Museveni. He further added, “Hence, the political landscape and discipline of our armed forces must remain sound. For even if the military performs admirably on the battlefield, without the public’s goodwill, victory will remain elusive.”

General Mbadi expressed that this meeting has arisen at a pivotal juncture necessitating prudent decision-making on behalf of the combined forces. He underscored the collective goal of bringing stability and security to Eastern DRC, particularly in the operational domain of Operation Shujaa. In his commendation, he lauded the diligence and hard work of the people in Eastern DRC, emphasizing their longing for peace and security as a foundation for socio-economic progress and cross-border trade.

Acknowledging the weight of the occasion, General Mbadi welcomed his counterpart, Lieutenant General Tshiwewe, affirming the importance of bilateral relations between the two nations and their mutual commitment to the success of Operation Shujaa for the pacification of that region.

General Mbadi emphasized that UPDF and FARDC should persist in bolstering collaboration in the realm of defense, particularly in training initiatives, and should also explore potential synergies in the defense industries to mutually benefit both nations.

On his part, Lieutenant General Tshiwewe conveyed heartfelt respect and empathy for the UPDF soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who sustained injuries on the battlefield during the ongoing Operation Shujaa, underlining their invaluable contribution to the attainment of peace.

He also extended his tribute to Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, the Commander Land Force, Major General Dick Olum, the overall Commander of Operation Shuuja, and Major General James Birungi, the Chief of Military Intelligence, for their exceptional leadership in Operation Shujaa.

The assembly included dignitaries such as Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, Major General Dick Olum, Major General James Birungi, Major General Christian Ndaywel Okura (CMI FARDC), Major General Mpezo Mbele Bruno (Commander 34th Military Region, North Kivu), and several other senior officers from UPDF and FARDC.