Military leaders from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have jointly called on local armed groups operating in the volatile eastern region of the DRC to surrender and participate in the Government’s disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) program. In a statement issued on Sunday March 30, Chris Magezi, acting spokesperson for the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF), highlighted that militias refusing to comply with the initiative would be targeted.
This appeal follows a two-day bilateral coordination meeting between senior military commanders from Uganda and the DRC, held in Bunia, Ituri Province, from March 27 to 28. The meeting was part of Operation Shujaa, a joint military operation aimed at eliminating armed groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which have been destabilizing the region. The Ugandan delegation, led by Kayanja Muhanga, commander of land forces, and the Congolese delegation, headed by Jacques Nduru, deputy chief of general staff for operations and intelligence, discussed strategies to counter the growing security threats posed by these groups.
In recent weeks, Uganda has intensified its military presence in Ituri Province, targeting armed Lendu militants from the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO), who are reportedly allied with the ADF. Last week, Uganda’s military announced the killing of 242 CODECO militants in a major operation. With the ADF’s ongoing presence in the region, including its affiliation with the Islamic State in Central Africa, the joint efforts of Uganda and the DRC aim to restore stability and prevent further infiltration by militant groups.