MPs Laud UPDF over Heroic ‘Operation Shujaa’ in DRC

Members of Parliament have applauded Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF)’s heroic “Operation Shujaa” against the terror forces of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In November 2021, Uganda and DR Congo signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct joint military operations code-named “Operation Shujaa” against the ADF in the Eastern province of Congo. This resulted from escalated ADF attacks both in Uganda and DRC over the last quarter of 2021.

While presenting a statement on the operations of UPDF in DR Congo during Wednesday plenary, Oboth said operation shujaa has registered significant achievement since its inception and it remains on course.

“Operation shujaa has evolved through phases renewable after every two months. The joint operation remains on course with significant achievements. For example; in 2022 alone, 424 ADF terrorists were killed, 81 others were captured, 115 abductees were rescued and 118 firearms with assorted ammunition and 10 EIDS (extremely insensitive detonating substances) were recovered,” Oboth said.

During debate of the minister’s report, Hon. Ibanda Rwemulikya (Indep., Ntoroko County) applauded the UPDF for pacifying both Uganda and DRC against ADF but urged them to deploy heavily in the rebel-zoned provinces.

“UPDF has been deployed in areas such as Boga, Mitengo, and Beni, but the rebels are hiding in areas like Kasenyi, Geti, and Bunia and they are slaughtering people. So UPDF should cover all those areas so that ADF is swept out,” Hon Rwemulikya said.

Terego Woman MP Hon Rose Obiga also applauded UPDF saying without them, parts of Bundibugyo and Maracha districts would have easily been invaded by ADF. She, however, called upon Government to stop tampering with money meant for the UPDF officers in DRC.

Hon Lillian Aber (NRM, Kitgum District) said UPDF should also extend the same heroics to fight cattle raids in several parts of the country.

“We applaud the UPDF for the work done, but we need to redeploy those soldiers to Kitgum and other parts of the country to arrest cattle raids because communities are asking why we are performing so well in the outside battles but not within,” she said.

Following the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State conclave held in Nairobi in April 2022 that resolved to establish and deploy EAC regional forces in DRC, Minister Oboth said that Uganda as a member is ready to contribute a battle group to the regional force based in Ituri province of DRC.

“UPDF has so far deployed the advance team to the force headquarters in Goma and the main body is already prepared and awaits final administrative arrangements to deploy,” he said.