On Saturday evening, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, met with President Félix Tshisekedi at the State House in Kinshasa, a pivotal moment in deepening security ties between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The high-level talks centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting regional stability in the Great Lakes region. This meeting followed General Kainerugaba’s discussions with his DRC counterpart, Lt. Gen. Jules Banza Mwilambwe, at FARDC military headquarters the previous day, highlighting the strengthening military alliance between Kampala and Kinshasa.
A key focus was Operation Shujaa, the joint UPDF-FARDC campaign launched in November 2021 to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern DRC. The operation has yielded significant results, dismantling rebel strongholds, restoring security along volatile border regions, facilitating the return of displaced communities, and boosting economic and social recovery in affected areas.
President Tshisekedi commended the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) for its vital role in the operation’s success, while General Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s steadfast commitment to this partnership. The visit underscores General Kainerugaba’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to foster peace and stability across Africa through engagements with regional leaders.
