Uganda joins Kenya, sends troops to DR Congo

Uganda is preparing to send its troops for the peace mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the East African Community Regional Force.

According to a statement from the office of the spokesperson of Ugandan People’s Defence Forces, the forces are currently undergoing their final mentoring ahead of the deployment.

“UPDF troops are in final touches for deployment to the DRC under the East African Community Regional Force,” it reads.

It does not, however, state the day they are going to leave for the country.

Kenya has already sent a second contingent of military officers, which is part of the 900 that the country committed to dispatch to the volatile war-stricken nation.

Burundi and Rwanda have each committed to deploy two battalions and South Sudan one battalion.

Tanzania has committed to joining the peace mission but at a later date.

The troops are set to work jointly with the Congolese army in fighting in the insurgence armed March 23 movement (M23) rebels and also work with humanitarian agencies to have aid reach the population.

The troops, UPDF says, are currently undergoing counseling, before they are sent into eastern DRC to join their Kenyan counterparts already in Goma.

Kenya has already asserted its position in Congo with a focus of defeating the rebels, participating in the disarmament and community recovery and stabilisation programmes.

On Wednesday, Kenyan and FARDC said they are ready to defend strategic installations and civilian areas from war.