APN Reporter
apearlnews.com
The East African Community Regional Force Commander (EACRF), Maj Gen Aphaxard Kiugu, visited Uganda contingent headquarters at Nyongera Kiwanga and Bunagana rear operation bases.
He was accompanied by Brig Gen Emmanuel Kaputa, Deputy Force Commander (DFC) Intelligence and Operations, Administration, and Logistics; Brigadier Gen Ndorarigonya Georgoire; Brig Gen Michael Kibuye, Chief of Staff EACRF; and other senior force headquarter staff officers.
While at Nyongera, the Force Commander was received by Col. Michael Walaka Hyeroba, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Contingent (UPDF UGACON) Commander.
COL Walaka welcomed Maj Gen Kiugu at UGACON Headquarters and briefed him about the overall security situation in the UGACON area of responsibility, highlighting the achievements gained so far.
In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Kiugu reminded Ugandan troops of the mandate of EACRF and urged them to adhere to the Status of Force Agreement (SOFA) and rules of engagement in all operations.
He stressed the need for troops to be duty-bound and strong in executing their duties.
“Our role is to protect the lives of people and their property because they are our brothers and sisters, and to achieve this, we need to work closely with the DRC government forces (FARDC) as enshrined in the EACRF mandate towards achieving the mission and objectives of EACRF,” he said.
He further disclosed that it’s the troop’s responsibility to facilitate the movement of people and humanitarian aid bodies within the UGACON area of responsibility so that NGOs can access the community and provide basic needs.
Maj Gen Kiugu tasked the Uganda Contingent Commander to maintain momentum and a positive relationship with the local populace to fulfill the mission mandate.
He thanked the troops for the tremendous job done in EACRF and other operations since their deployment.
He concluded by cautioning troops to maintain discipline, adding that indiscipline of any kind won’t be tolerated for the success of the EACRF mission.
This is the first joint operations area familiarisation visit by the EACRF Commander to the UGACON Forces.
The visit aimed to boost troop morale and assess UGACON’s progress.
