By Our Reporter
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Saturday evening held a high-level meeting with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi at State House in Kinshasa, signaling a renewed commitment to regional security and deeper bilateral military cooperation.
The strategic engagement comes just a day after Gen Kainerugaba met with the DRC’s Chief of General Staff, Lt Gen Jules Banza Mwilambwe, for intensive discussions on joint operations—particularly the ongoing Operation Shujaa, a Uganda-DRC counter-terrorism initiative targeting the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) insurgency in eastern Congo.
President Tshisekedi warmly welcomed Uganda’s military chief and commended Uganda’s steadfast support in fighting terrorism and restoring stability in the restive Great Lakes region. He applauded Operation Shujaa for significantly degrading the operational capabilities of the ADF and securing key territories in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
“The UPDF has played an instrumental role in restoring order and hope in communities that were once under constant threat,” Tshisekedi was quoted as saying by sources close to the meeting.
General Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional peace, stating that military cooperation between Kampala and Kinshasa is vital not only for security but also for unlocking the region’s broader development potential.
Launched in November 2021, Operation Shujaa was a direct response to the growing threat of the ADF, a group originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s and now operating as an affiliate of the Islamic State in eastern DRC. Following a series of deadly bomb attacks in Kampala in 2021 attributed to the group, Uganda and the DRC jointly deployed troops and intelligence assets to dismantle its presence.
The operation has since led to the destruction of rebel camps, the arrest or elimination of top ADF commanders, and the recovery of critical weapons and logistical networks. Thousands of internally displaced people have begun returning home, signaling a gradual return to normalcy.
Despite persisting challenges, officials from both countries have hailed the mission as a model for regional counter-terrorism cooperation.
Since his appointment as CDF in March 2024, Gen Kainerugaba has undertaken a series of high-level regional visits, meeting military and political leaders across Africa in a diplomatic campaign aimed at promoting peace, countering extremism, and reinforcing Uganda’s role in regional security architecture.
His visit to Kinshasa is seen as part of Kampala’s broader effort to consolidate the military and political gains achieved through Operation Shujaa and ensure that rebel groups do not resurface.
Uganda and the DRC share deep-rooted historical, cultural, and economic ties, but relations have occasionally been strained by border tensions, refugee flows, and militia activity. In recent years, however, both governments have embraced a strategic partnership centered on security, infrastructure, and trade.
Analysts suggest that Gen Muhoozi’s visit underscores Uganda’s intention to remain a key player in shaping the future of security in the Great Lakes region. His military diplomacy is increasingly positioning Uganda as a central actor in efforts to bring long-term peace and development to eastern Congo and beyond.
As regional dynamics shift, Kampala’s proactive military diplomacy—anchored by sustained joint operations and top-level engagement—is setting the tone for a new era of collective regional security. With continued coordination and trust-building, Uganda and the DRC may well lay the foundation for a lasting peace in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.