Uganda on high alert following fighting in eastern DRC

Uganda has stepped up security at its border following renewed fighting in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has escalated dramatically with the recent takeover of a strategic border town by M23 rebels. Isabel Nakirya reports.

Major Bilal Katamba, spokesperson for the Mountain Division of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), informed Xinhua that the entire border area is under close surveillance due to intense clashes between DRC troops and M23 rebels.

He explained, “Whenever issues arise in neighboring areas, we must remain vigilant and cannot afford to be passive.”

Katamba, who also represents Operation Shujaa—a UPDF mission targeting Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern DRC—added that the army is on high alert because the ADF has recently begun crossing into Uganda and causing disruptions.