Uganda might pull its army out of Lubero in Congo. Army leaders want to chase ADF fighters who ran away to North Kivu and Ituri provinces instead. Colonel Chris Magezi told reporters about these plans last Sunday. He heads public relations for the Ugandan military right.
The army needs to move because beaten ADF groups keep running deeper into Congo when Uganda and Congo soldiers attack them. The military first put troops in Bunia, Mahagi, and Fataki earlier this year to block escaping fighters. But these bad guys spread across a huge area, making it hard to catch them all. Uganda may need extra soldiers to cover more ground.
Commanders will decide soon whether to leave Lubero completely. The ADF began as a Ugandan rebel group but operates mostly in eastern Congo these days. It attacks both regular people and soldiers. The joint military campaign Operation Shujaa has pushed them back from many places. But thick forests and rough land make these rebels tough to finish off completely.
Military leaders from both countries just finished important talks at the Governor's office in Bunia on March 28, 2025. Uganda sent Land Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga along with Mountain Infantry leader Maj. Gen. Richard Otto. Ambassador Hajji Farid Kaliisa attended as well. Congo sent Lt. Gen. YCHALIGONZA NDURU Jacques with Ituri Governor Lt. Gen. LUBOYA NKASHAMA Johnny.
Everyone agreed they must better protect local communities. They plan to build trust between soldiers and regular people living there. Teams from both armies will start patrolling the Mahagi-Bunia highway immediately to keep travelers safe. The officials asked local armed gangs to give up fighting and join Congo's peace program, PDDRC-S.
Colonel Magezi warned that any local armed groups refusing peace would face military action. The road ahead looks difficult as forces try to secure this troubled region. Uganda started this mission mainly to stop ADF attacks on its territory. But the fighting area keeps growing as enemies scatter into remote areas. Military planners face tough choices about where to focus their limited resources.
The army needs to move because beaten ADF groups keep running deeper into Congo when Uganda and Congo soldiers attack them. The military first put troops in Bunia, Mahagi, and Fataki earlier this year to block escaping fighters. But these bad guys spread across a huge area, making it hard to catch them all. Uganda may need extra soldiers to cover more ground.
Commanders will decide soon whether to leave Lubero completely. The ADF began as a Ugandan rebel group but operates mostly in eastern Congo these days. It attacks both regular people and soldiers. The joint military campaign Operation Shujaa has pushed them back from many places. But thick forests and rough land make these rebels tough to finish off completely.
Military leaders from both countries just finished important talks at the Governor's office in Bunia on March 28, 2025. Uganda sent Land Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga along with Mountain Infantry leader Maj. Gen. Richard Otto. Ambassador Hajji Farid Kaliisa attended as well. Congo sent Lt. Gen. YCHALIGONZA NDURU Jacques with Ituri Governor Lt. Gen. LUBOYA NKASHAMA Johnny.
Everyone agreed they must better protect local communities. They plan to build trust between soldiers and regular people living there. Teams from both armies will start patrolling the Mahagi-Bunia highway immediately to keep travelers safe. The officials asked local armed gangs to give up fighting and join Congo's peace program, PDDRC-S.
Colonel Magezi warned that any local armed groups refusing peace would face military action. The road ahead looks difficult as forces try to secure this troubled region. Uganda started this mission mainly to stop ADF attacks on its territory. But the fighting area keeps growing as enemies scatter into remote areas. Military planners face tough choices about where to focus their limited resources.
