DR CONGO: The UPDF Chief of Military Intelligence Maj Gen James Birungi on Monday met his counterpart from Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), Maj Gen Mandiangu Mbala Michel, to review the security operation against the ADF rebels.
During the meeting held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, the military officials shared joint intelligence on Operation Shujaa that is now in its sixth month in the DRC.
Maj Gen Birungi congratulated the DRC upon their admission to the East African Community and thanked his counterpart for honouring his invitation. He also observed that it is important to have such engagements on matters of mutual interest and national security amongst the two sister countries.
On his part, Maj Gen Mbandiangu said meeting is an opportunity to update themselves on the joint operations the two countries are engaged in.
Details of the intelligence were not shared.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence Brig Gen Abdul Rugumayo, Assistant Deputy CMI In Charge of Intelligence Brig Gen Tom Kabuye, Senior UPDF Officers, the FARDC Director of External Relations, FARDC Director Analysis among others.
This came as the commander of the land forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, tweeted on Monday: “Update on Operation Shujaa. All ADF units and their families are fleeing from their long time strongholds of Mwalika and Kikingi. They are running as fast as they can to the north, they are running from our 15th Battalion that is advancing on Mwalika.”
“We have captured Mwenda. After a three day advance, 1st Battalion of Mountain Division captured Mwenda. General Kayanja was there for the final battles. ADF is running,” he added.
In March, President Yoweri Museveni, who is the commander in chief of the armed forces, said the ongoing operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to flush out the ADF rebels that started in November last year, has gone very well.
“It’s now almost 5 months, total success, we have demolished the terrorists in that area and we have lost only three soldiers in all this time. And that was because of the good training of the soldiers involved and the good commands given to them,” Museveni said, quoting a Luganda saying; “Lubaale mbeera nga n’embiro kwotadde” loosely translated as “Pray as you work”.
