The Ugandan contingent has competed the withdrawal of its troops that were serving under the East African Community Regional Force(EACRF).
The East African Community Regional Force(EACRF) last week started its withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo after Kinshasa refused to renew its mandate.
The withdrawal started with the Kenyan contingent.
The withdrawal followed a decision by the East African heads of state against renewing the mandate of the peacekeeping force .
According to the Ugandan contingent spokesperson, Capt Ahmad Kato, the Ugandan troops that have for the last eight months been deployed in North Kivu, Eastern Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo ((DRC) started by ferrying some of the none essential items and beating the official deadline for withdrawal of January, 7, 2024.
“Currently, the 27th Battalion and 9th Battalion, the headquarter and their equipment that were deployed in EACRF mission have all been withdrawn,” Capt Kato said.
The Ugandan contingent commander,Col Walaka Hyeroba said the last force has been withdrawn and that none of the Ugandan soldiers has remained behind.
” I have pulled out every soldier with all the equipment that I entered with in DRC,” Col Hyeroba said of the mission he described as successful as provided for in the mandate by regional leaders.
“We were also provided the authority to protect the local people, a job that we did excellently as life had gone back to normal( by the time we left).”
He explained that before UPDF EACRF went to DRC, there was no business in the town of Kiwanja in Rutshuru territory , noting that by the time the troops left, the situation was different.
“By the time we occupied, we ensured that business gets to normal as if there was no conflict,” Col Hyeroba said.
He said the Ugandan troops worked closely with the Congolese army, FARDC and the local populace.
Col Hyeroba however said the withdrawal was done prematurely as the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programe was yet to start.
“Even the armed groups were not disarmed and integrated into the community “.
He however opined that the problem of DRC can only be solved by a peaceful dialogue and not war.
