Uganda deploys 1,000 troops to eastern DRC

A contingent of one thousand troops departed Uganda on Wednesday heading to the eastern part of the DRC .

The Ugandan troops will be operating under the regional East Africa Community force that includes Burundi and Kenya .

Hundreds of residents from both sides of the border between Uganda and the DRC attended the flag-off ceremony.

Uganda’s contingent is led by colonel Michael Hairoba . In his speech at the ceremony, he said: “We are going as ambassadors of peace in Congo .

We are prepared, we are trained, and are ready for the task".

The E ast African Community force is meant to contain M23 rebels who started attacks on Congo army positions in June last year and occupied several areas. 

Formed in 2012 , the group attacked Congo and was overpowered by government troops. It had stopped attacks until last year.