UPDF Contingent under EACRF holds meeting with local leaders in eastern DRC

Colonel Michael Walaka Hyeroba, the UPDF Contingent Commander serving under East African Community Regional Force(EACRF), on Monday  held a security meeting comprising of the Community local leaders, youth leaders and the various religious sects in Rutshuru territory in North Kivu.  

The meeting is the first official security session with the various key community leaders since the occupation of the bases formerly vacated by the M23.

The meeting which also constituted a security committee team aimed at establishing a workable conducive environment in an effort to facilitate a peaceful political dialogue process and for charting a clear line of reporting about any violations of the peace agreement and general security in the region under Uganda Contingent area of responsibility.

The meeting stressed to the stakeholders the role of the general community in championing the peace process, the Mandate of the East African Community Regional Force, the mission and the objectives of the UPDF Uganda Contingent in the fulfillment of the EACRF decree.

In a meeting held at the Community Baptist Church of Africa (CBCA) in Buturande village, Rutshuru territory in DRC, Col Walaka Hyeroba called upon the various stakeholders to cooperate with EACRF in the restoration of peace in the territory adding that they are strong allies in the peace process. He urged them to timely report any illegal hateful activities that can cause violence in the area so that EACRF can rescue the situation in time before any harm is registered in the community. “Rutshuru territory is a developed town with a high population which must be protected at all costs so that people can live a happy and peaceful life for feature development in the region,” says Col Walaka.

The EACRF Uganda Contingent Commander echoed to the members that UPDF is a pro-people army and a neutral force that is meant to witness the peaceful dialogue between the M23 and the government of Congo, local and foreign forces. Bishop Muhutsa Paul, the proprietor of the Baptist Church (CBCA) applauded the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Contingent peacekeepers for restoring tranquility and harmony in the territory was a big challenge in the region.