The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, this morning held a high-level meeting in Entebbe with leaders of the Lendu militia group CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of the Congo), a group that has previously clashed with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on multiple occasions.
The CODECO delegation was led by Mr. Dunji Kulukpa Etienne, Vice President of the Lendu Community in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and included both political and militant leaders from the group.
Representing Uganda at the meeting were Gen Kainerugaba; Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of Land Forces; Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, Commander of the UPDF 4th Infantry Division; and Brig Gen Oscar Munanura, Assistant Deputy Defence Intelligence and Security Chief for Counter Intelligence.
The CODECO leaders had been received in Uganda several days earlier by the Commander of Land Forces and the 4th Division Commander. During the meeting, Mr. Dunji expressed his gratitude for Uganda’s hospitality and extended an apology for the past clashes between CODECO militants and the UPDF in Fataki, citing misinformation and influence from “negative forces” that had encouraged resistance to the UPDF’s presence in the area.
He emphasized that the Lendu people, along with the Balega and Bahema communities, hold no animosity towards Uganda or the UPDF. He also voiced his sorrow over the continued suffering in Ituri Province, attributing it to divisive politics, and praised Uganda for its longstanding support — including the provision of medical aid, refuge, and business opportunities for Congolese citizens.
In his remarks, Gen Kainerugaba underscored Uganda’s deep historical ties with the North Kivu and Ituri regions, referencing past collaborations against insurgent groups such as the Uganda Homeland Liberation Front (UHLF) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the early 2000s.
The CDF encouraged the CODECO leadership to ally with the UPDF in a joint pursuit of peace and stability across eastern Congo. As a gesture of goodwill, injured CODECO militants were granted access to free medical treatment at UPDF facilities.
The meeting marks a significant step in ongoing regional peace efforts and reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to fostering unity and cooperation in the Great Lakes region.
