The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Félix Tshiseked, has donated ten brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser pickup trucks to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
Donated under Operation Shujaa, the trucks are in recognition of the UPDF contribution to the fight against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists.
The UPDF said in a statement on Sunday that the vehicles are expected to enhance ongoing joint operations aimed at eliminating the remaining ADF elements and restoring lasting peace and security in eastern DRC.
Governor of North Kivu, Major General Somo Kakule Evariste, handed over the vehicles on behalf of the president, saying the Congolese leader highly appreciated the strong cooperation between the governments of Uganda and the DRC, as well as the success of the joint military operations against the ADF.
The Governor of Ituri also commended the joint efforts of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the UPDF, noting that their operations had significantly contributed to improved peace and stability in eastern DRC.
Receiving the vehicles in Beni, the Joint Task Force Commander of Operation Shujaa and Commander of the UPDF Mountain Infantry Division, Maj Gen Stephen Mugerwa, thanked President Tshisekedi for the gesture.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the joint forces to continue pursuing the ADF until the terrorist group is completely defeated.
Operation Shujaa, launched in November 2021, has registered significant achievements, the UPDF says.
“The joint operation has contributed to restoring security across parts of eastern DRC, enabling thousands of displaced people to return to their homes, rescuing abductees, degrading the ADF’s operational capability, and neutralising several of its senior commanders.”
The improved security environment has also enabled schools to reopen and boosted cross-border trade between Uganda and the DRC.
Infrastructure development has equally progressed, with road projects including the Beni–Kasindi, Beni–Biakato, Biakato–Mangina, and Luna–Komanda roads facilitating trade and movement.
As a result, the volume of cargo trucks crossing between the two countries has increased from about 13,000 per month to more than 30,000.
Operation Shujaa is a joint military offensive conducted by the UPDF and the FARDC against the ADF in the Kivu and Ituri regions.
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