Sporadic protests have ensued in Lubero territory, Northern Kivu in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the decision by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to withdraw from the area.
For more than five days, revelers hit the streets burning tires, chanting and asking the UPDF to remain in the area as it had brought peace and sanity to the people from the ongoing insurgency from different militias that have taken over many of the neighboring areas.
Col Chris Magezi the acting deputy defense Information and Public Affairs told this publication yesterday that the decision is still under discussion on whether to or not to withdraw the forces from Lubero.
“We have taken the decision because it is a tactical operational process. We are still continuing to discuss the same and whatever we arrive at will be for the good of the people of DRC because those are our main mission of protection,” Col Magezi said in a telephone interview.
Last week, using his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Col Magezi indicated that the UPDF was considering withdrawing forces from Lubero town in Eastern DRC.
“As beleaguered ADF remnants continue to take flight to DRC’s North Kivu and Ituri province regions because of pressure by the UPDF-FARDC joint forces, operational focus could switch to those regions to ensure the ADF is afforded no opportunity to regroup,” he said on X adding, “Discussions by commanders about the pivot to address emerging dynamics in Operation Shujaa are ongoing, and a final decision is expected to be taken in the coming days. The UPDF early this year deployed blocking forces in Bunia, Mahagi, and Fataki in Ituri, but the huge operational area will require additional forces to be dominated effectively.”
Following the statement, different social media platforms were awash with videos and pictures of protests as traders closed their shops rendering business on a standstill for several days.
Mr Tafuteni Muhindo, the President of Civil Society in Lubero said that they have had several discussions with the UPDF commanders in the area and the situation has de-escalated from what was happening days ago.
“The people were fearing for their lives and that is why they went to protest that the UPDF remains. We have talked to the commanders and they are now happy that the Ugandan forces are remaining here,”Mr Muhindo said.
Sources from the area says that areas in Northern Kivu like Rutsuru, Masisi, Walikali, Nyiragongu and part of Lubero that have been captured by militias are suffering and they wouldn’t want the UPDF to withdraw such that they go through the same fate.
The other captured places in Southern Kivu include Bukavu town, Kavuma Airport among other sensitive territories.
In one of the videos shared by citizen journalists, one of the UPDF commanders is seen speaking to the protesters telling them to calm down as consideration is being taken on the matter, amidst protests.
“Gentlemen and ladies, I request you that you go back to your work because UPDF is still here. If anything is concluded, I tell the area mayor to go on radio to tell the citizens to calm down. Let us agree and stop the protests because the UPDF is still here,” the commander said addressing a group of protesters on Thursday last week.
Asked why the decision was being considered in the first place, Col Magezi said, “You see DRC is very big, about 10 or nine times the size of Uganda. That means we would need a heavy deployment of the forces for us to cover all the affected areas because as we speak we are so overwhelmed. We are discussing this so that as we bring sanity to some areas, we also give other parts of DRC the same. We are working hand in hand with FARDC to make sure that the people of DRC enjoy the peace that they deserve.”
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