The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) troops have occupied Butembo town in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 58 kilometers south of Beni, The Kampala Post has learnt.
According to highly placed military sources, the UPDF occupation of the DRC town follows an agreement with the Congolese Armed Forces.
The move aims to secure the Beni-Butembo road, one of the roads that Uganda and DRC agreed to repair and upgrade.
Sources told this publication that the UPDF is also pursuing a splinter group of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) operating in the area.
The Chief Commissioner of Butembo City Mowa-Baeki-Telly Roger welcomed the UPDF troops in a statement urging locals to accord the UPDF troops the necessary support, warning that anyone obstructing the UPDF’s intervention would be considered an enemy of peace and face military justice.
Additionally, the police mayor of Butembo emphasized that the UPDF’s presence is part of joint operations with the Congolese army (FARDC) to dismantle ADF terrorists in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Sources further told this publication that UPDF convoys are currently deploying troops to insecure areas to support FARDC in countering the ADF terrorists.