Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have deployed troops in Butembo Town, South of Beni in Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
“Our aim is to secure the Beni – Butembo road,” said a highly placed military source.
Uganda and DR Congo are close trade partners. Beni – Butembo road is one of the trade infrastructure the two countries agreed to upgrade to ease the movement of people and facilitate trade.
This news site understands that the UPDF who have over the recent years conducted joint operations with DR Congo Army, FARDC, is pursuing a splinter group of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the area.
In as statement, Mowa – Baeki-Telly Roger, the Chief Commissioner of Butembo city welcomed the UPDF urging area residents to accord the troops requisite support.
Mowa – Baeki warned against obstruction of the operation saying any such elements would be treated as enemies of peace and face the law.
The Head of Butembo police reiterated DR Congo’s commitment to joint operations with Uganda to eliminate ADF from the country’s North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
By press time, UPDF had, according to reliable military sources, deployed troops to back DR Congo’s FARDC in offensives against the ADF.