Africa-Press – Uganda. The European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, Johan Borgstam, on Friday held a high-level meeting with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) leadership at the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe.
Borgstam was received by the Commander Land Force, Lt Gen Muhanga Kayanja, who represented the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The courtesy visit centered on the ongoing joint military operations by the UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern DRC.
Borgstam, who had earlier flown in from Bunia as part of his regional tour, commended the UPDF for its contribution to restoring peace and stability in areas previously under ADF control since the launch of Operation Shujaa in December 2021.
He encouraged the UPDF to strengthen collaboration with humanitarian partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to ensure that displaced communities receive much-needed support.
On behalf of the CDF, Kayanja briefed the EU delegation on the progress achieved under Operation Shujaa. He highlighted the return of displaced families, the reopening of schools, and a revival of trade as tangible indicators of success.
He reaffirmed the UPDF’s commitment to working with all regional and international partners to neutralize the ADF threat and promote lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.
The EU delegation also delivered a message of appreciation from the EU Foreign Minister, acknowledging Uganda’s contribution to regional security, including its role in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The delegation further extended condolences to the UPDF for the soldiers who recently lost their lives in a helicopter crash while serving under ATMIS.
Accompanying Borgstam were senior EU officials, including Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Uganda Jan Sadak ; Political Advisor to the EUSR Tristan Terry ; Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation Guillaume Chartrain ; Political Advisor to the EU Delegation Toke Hauch Arnold.
The meeting underscored the EU’s continued engagement with Uganda and the wider region in advancing peace, security, and humanitarian support in the Great Lakes region.
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