Ugandan Army Chief Meets with Congolese Militia Leaders to Discuss Regional Peace Efforts

Edition: Widad WAHBI

The Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) announced that their commander held a high-level meeting on Tuesday near Kampala with leaders of the Congolese militia known as Codeco. The meeting took place in Entebbe and was described by the UPDF as a significant step towards promoting regional stability.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the head of the UPDF and son of President Yoweri Museveni, met with representatives of the Lendu-based Codeco militia, a group that has previously clashed with Ugandan forces during operations launched earlier this year in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement, the UPDF noted that General Kainerugaba encouraged Codeco leaders to cooperate with Uganda’s military to jointly pursue peace and security in eastern Congo, a region plagued by long-standing conflict. The army highlighted the meeting as a “milestone in ongoing regional peace efforts,” suggesting that collaboration with local armed groups could support broader stabilization initiatives.

The engagement reflects Uganda’s growing involvement in eastern DRC, where various militias, including Codeco, have contributed to violence and instability. By seeking dialogue, Kampala appears to be positioning itself as a mediator and security partner in the region.