The European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, His Excellency Johan Borgstam, has met the Commander Land Force, Lt Gen Muhanga Kayanja, who was representing the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the courtesy call took place at the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe.
Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, briefed the Europe Union envoy on the experiences of the joint UPDF and FARDC which is the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ambassador Johan Borgstam who is well versed with Democratic Republic of Congo had flown into the country from Bunia in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on his routine tour of the region, expressed the EU’s appreciation for the work done by the UPDF in restoring normalcy in areas where the forces have jointly operated with FARDC to flush out the ADF since December 2021.
He called upon the UPDF to continue working closely with other well-intentioned partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in delivering humanitarian assistance to the people of DRC affected by the conflict.
The Ambassador observed that despite the difficult terrain, the UPDF has made significant progress in its joint operations with the Congolese Army.
Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, briefed the envoy and his delegation on the progress of the operations and the gains made so far, which have seen many Congolese returning to their homes, schools reopening, and trade booming.
He expressed the UPDF’s willingness to work with all well-intentioned partners in Democratic Republic of Congo to eliminate the ADF terrorists and create lasting peace in the region.
The Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Uganda Jan Sadek, who was part of the EU team, extended greetings and appreciation from the Foreign Minister of the European Union for the work the UPDF is doing in Somalia and also extended his condolences for the gallant UPDF soldiers working under ATMIS who lost their lives in the recent helicopter crash in Somalia.
Ambassador Borgstam was accompanied by the Political Advisor to the EU Special Representative Tristan Terryn, the Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation Guillaume Chartrain and the Political Advisor to the EU Delegation Toke Hauch Arnold.
