Ugandan troops have taken up peacekeeping.

Ugandan troops have taken up peacekeeping duties in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the East African Community Regional Force. They will be expected to protect civilians in the areas of Bunagana, Kiwanja and Mabenga in Rutshuru territory. The troops are also tasked with overseeng the withdrawal of the M23 rebels from an area they’ve occupied since last June. The 2,000-strong force will also oversee the reopening of trade routes between the border town of Bunagana and the regional capital, Goma. This is being seen a key milestone towards the full deployment of the regional force, which the East African Community countries see as part of a local solution to the long years of conflict in eastern DR Congo.