The joint operation in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, codenamed Operation Shuja, started in the morning hours of 30 November with an artillery and aerial bombing of four ADF bases. At the time, Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso boasted that the targets were “accurately hit”.
Meanwhile, the land forces commander, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has been touting the “tremendous successes” of the joint operation.
Since the beginning of Op Shujaa 5 days ago, our valiant troops together with our Congolese brothers have achieved tremendous successes. We thank our compatriots for the support. Long live the brotherhood between the people of DRC and Ug! We shall triumph against the terrorists. pic.twitter.com/AUL2jVGdwt
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) December 5, 2021
However, when asked on Sunday to elaborate on specific “successes” to date, Byekwaso told The Africa Report that “we haven’t documented anything yet”.
That’s because neither country’s armies have been able to reach the militia’s remote bases.
Unnavigable terrain
The first obstacle has been the mountainous terrain in Eastern Congo. The Ugandan army couldn’t reach the militia bases because of impassable roads.
Operation spokesman Maj. Peter Mugisa tells The Africa Report that Ugandan army
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