Akena referred to historical statements by President Museveni acknowledging the destruction of food supplies and the destitution of about 2.7 million people during that period. He argued that the loss of cattle deprived communities of daily nutrition, household income, school fees, draft power, and soil fertility, leaving effects that continue to be felt today.
Kampala’s waste management system has come under increasing strain in recent years, including during Uganda’s first National Cleaning Day, when the volume of collected waste overwhelmed collection teams and temporarily clogged the Buyala disposal facility.
Captain Reyes noted that the mission’s core aim is to enhance host nations’ ability to manage disasters independently while strengthening collective regional capacity.
The governments of the US, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, alongside the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), League of Arab States (LAS), and the United Nations (UN), expressed deep concern over the severe humanitarian consequences of the war.
“President Trump has been clear that there is an urgent need to resolve the horrific conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the United States is committed to peace and prosperity in the region,” reasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.