KAMPALA, Uganda

Uganda on Wednesday flagged off 1,000 Ugandan troops to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo under the regional East African community force.

They have been flagged off by Uganda people’s defense forces (UPDF) commander for Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga at a function held at the Bunagana border post located between Uganda and DR Congo. Hundreds of residents from both sides of the border attended the flag-off ceremony.

The deputy spokesman of UPDF, Deo Akiki said that the Ugandan army contingent of 1,000 troops will be operating from Ituri province. Burundi and Kenya have already sent their troops to Congo for the same mission.

Uganda’s contingent is led by colonel Michael Hairoba. In his speech at the ceremony, he said: “We are going as ambassadors of peace in Congo. We are prepared, we are trained, and are ready for the task.”

Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga said that the Ugandan army is not new at keeping peace in other countries. He said: ‘‘Having pacified the country, UPDF now exports peace in other countries. We were in Liberia, we are in Somalia, We have been in South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. This force has a mission to witness the process of achieving peace in eastern DRC. Our work is to ensure the implementation of the decisions taken by the heads of state. We are not going to be enemies of anybody there.”

The East African community force is meant to contain M23 rebels who started attacks on Congo army positions since June last year and occupied several areas. Formed in 2012, the group attacked Congo and was overpowered by government troops. It had stopped attacks until last year.