CONGO: The UPDF Engineering Brigade has begun repairing impassable roads in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The route from Mukakati, where the UPDF has established an operations base, has been in disrepair.
In a combined operation with DRC troops, the UPDF conducted a series of strikes against Allied Democratic Forces-ADF terrorists in neighbouring Congo two weeks ago. The operation’s goal was to push the insurgents out of their bases. It followed a string of terror incidents in various districts of Uganda, all of which were blamed on the ADF.
The Mukakati Forward Operating Base is located in the heart of the Ituri Forest, 18 kilometres from the Uganda-DRC border at Busunga. The route had hampered the UPDF’s ground attack against the Allied Democratic Force-ADF insurgents. UPDF and FARDC Engineers work together to build the road.
Col. James Kasule, the Operation Commander shujaa, and Col. Gbiabagolo Antionio of the Congolese Defence Forces launched the building work on Friday.
Col. Kasule told journalists in Mukakati that the job would take two to three days and that they would have cleared a portion of the road.
Col. Antionio stated that the collaborative engagement with the UPDF is doing well and that he is hopeful that the ADF rebels would no longer be present in the region.
He noted that the route is critical because it would let the two forces to penetrate deeper into the forests, where the ADF maintains multiple bases.
Maj. Peter Mugisa, the UPDF’s spokesperson for the operation, stated that the UPDF has set up locations to give medical services as well as water stations for clean water as part of their community involvement programmes.