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Kulayigye, who was speaking to this reporter on phone, said stability brought about by UPDF presence in the region will subsequently lead to several economic opportunities for Ugandans.
“We have received a lot of criticism from some opposition people. What they need to know is that the army’s presence in the region is beneficial to Ugandans because it will bring about stability in the region which will subsequently lead to various economic opportunities for Ugandans, most especially those in business,” he said.
Last week, more 1000 UPDF officers, according to Kulayigye, were deployed in DRC.
However, Kulayigye clarified that the UPDF is not in the region to fight the M23, but to enforce cessation of hostilities between the M23 and the Congolese national army, Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).
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“Uganda is not mandated to negotiate on behalf of the M23. The Conclave of East African Community (EAC) Heads of State already chose a political facilitator (HE Uhuru Kenyatta). Uganda is however deployed in DRC as part of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) to enforce cessation of hostilities between FARDC and M23,” he said.
The UPDF has been deployed in DRC but on a separate mission with the Congolese national army, FARDC.
Other countries such as Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan have troops in the country under the EACRF.
Angola, which not part of the region, too has had troops there since last year.