The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) met and held a meeting with members of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Based in Goma – DRC, EJVM comprises military experts from the ICGLR member states. They monitor and investigate security incidents within the member states.
The meeting that was convened at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) in Mbuya, addressed the need to continuously improve the humanitarian and security situations both in the country and beyond.
Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig Gen Abdul Rugumayo, explained the importance of embracing regional mechanisms to avert crime and other eminent terror activities.
“We all live in a rapidly changing environment which calls for continuous improvement in cooperation on defence and security to ensure peace and stability,” he said.
Brig Gen Rugumayo called upon members of the EJVM to jointly intensify their operations against terrorism, be pro-active problem solvers and avail correct recommendations about issues pertaining the stability of the region for socio-economic transformation.
The EJVM head of delegation, Maj Gen Elias Daniel Bukulu, noted that his team is in Uganda to benefit from Uganda’s open-door policy in handling both humanitarian and security challenges.
He lauded UPDF and other security forces for stabilizing the country, adding that the team will also visit Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania.
During the meeting, a presentation on the present border demarcation exercise was delivered by both the Assistant Commissioner for Mapping and Survey, Mr. Fax Asizua, and Godfrey Took from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
The Member States of ICGLR are; Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, DR Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia.