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Maj Gen James Birungi has officially taken over as the new Commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Mountain Division and Operation Shujja, succeeding Maj Gen Richard Otto.
The handover ceremony took place at Muhooti Barracks in Fort Portal, Kabarole District.
The event was presided over by Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, the Commander of Land Force, who praised the significant achievements made under Maj Gen Otto’s leadership and expressed full confidence in Maj Gen Birungi’s ability to carry the mission forward.
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Lt Gen Muhanga highlighted the progress made in the joint UPDF and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) offensive against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) since the launch of Operation Shujja in 2021.
"When we entered DR Congo, the enemy had well-established camps, livestock, and even collected taxes from civilians. Today, most of those camps, like Kambi Yajua, near Semliki, have been destroyed," he said.
He added, "Many ADF commanders have been eliminated. What remains are remnants soon to be wiped out."
Lt Gen Muhanga also commended the strong cooperation between the UPDF and FARDC, noting that it has played a key role in restoring peace to the Rwenzori region and Eastern DRC, enabling local communities to return to normal life.
Maj Gen Otto, in his farewell remarks, thanked President Museveni and the Army leadership for the opportunity to lead the division and Operation Shujja.
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He noted the improvements in trade between Uganda and DR Congo during his tenure, saying, "The support of the Congolese people and FARDC has been vital in degrading ADF capacity."
He added that "peace is flourishing, and cross-border socio-economic activity is booming."
In his acceptance speech, Maj Gen Birungi thanked the UPDF leadership for their trust and vowed to continue the fight against the remaining ADF insurgents.
He acknowledged the contributions of his predecessors and pledged to work closely with local leaders, the Tooro Kingdom, and the wider Rwenzori region to ensure lasting peace and security.
Maj Gen Birungi also reaffirmed the importance of continuing coordination with FARDC, describing it as crucial to the success of the joint operations.
Operation Shujja was launched in November 2021 following a bilateral agreement between Uganda and the DRC after a series of deadly attacks in Kampala attributed to the ADF.
The ceremony was attended by several key figures, including Maj Gen Paul Muhangizi, the 2 Division Commander; Brig Gen Paul Muwonge, the Mountain Division Deputy Commander; senior UPDF and FARDC officers; local officials; religious leaders; representatives of the Tooro Kingdom; and staff from Mountain of the Moon University.