By Godfrey Olukya
KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday decided to extend their joint operation against Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels for two months, according to UN radio.
Lt. Col. Mak Azukay, the spokesman for the operation, told the radio that the decision was taken by the presidents of the two countries.
The extension came two weeks after Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the commander of Uganda’s land forces, announced that he will start the withdrawal of troops from the DR Congo if he does not get directives on the extension of the operation.
The operation, which started on Dec. 1, 2022, was supposed to last for six months.
At least 1,700 soldiers from the Ugandan army have been deployed in North Kivu and Ituri as part of the operation.
Hundreds of ADF rebels have been killed and many others arrested during the operation.