Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations, paid a visit to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) troops engaged in Operation Shujaa.
Landing in North Kivu Province, Gen. Kainerugaba proceeded to Ituri Province, where he held discussions with commanders and troops about the joint operation. He was received by Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, Commander of Operation Shujaa, and was accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking UPDF officials, including Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, Brig. Gen. Dan Kakono, and Col. Albert Kashakamba.
Addressing the troops, Gen. Kainerugaba commended their patriotic efforts in combating the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and restoring stability to affected regions. He highlighted the mission’s importance, emphasizing the directives from both President Yoweri Museveni and President Félix Tshisekedi to eliminate the remaining ADF elements by year-end.
In a gesture of appreciation, Gen. Kainerugaba hosted a combined Christmas and New Year lunch for the troops. Encouraging them to intensify their efforts, he reiterated the need to capture remaining ADF leaders, particularly a commander identified as ‘Bwakasi’ (Abu Wakasi). Soldiers on the ground expressed their commitment to the mission, vowing to bring the ADF insurgency to a definitive end.
During his visit, signs of progress under Operation Shujaa were visible, with civilians engaging in routine activities such as agriculture and trade. However, abandoned homes overgrown with vegetation served as stark reminders of the destruction caused by the ADF before the operation’s launch in November 2021.
Operation Shujaa has significantly weakened the ADF, dismantling its ability to organize large-scale attacks. Senior ADF commanders have been neutralized, and the group has been reduced to scattered, fragmented cells operating outside the joint forces’ immediate jurisdiction. The resumption of civilian life marks a key milestone in the operation’s success.
Gen. Kainerugaba reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the troops and announced plans for a follow-up visit. He challenged the forces to ensure the complete decimation of the ADF, underscoring the importance of the UPDF and FARDC partnership in addressing regional security concerns and promoting stability.