The UPDF soldiers serving under the East African Regional Force (EACRF) to keep peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have embarked on the fight against the cholera outbreak in the area.

The disease has been registered in Mabenga and Kiwanja of Rutshuru territory in North Kivu province in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Col. Michael Walaka Hyeroba, the UPDF Contingent commander, said the water engineering team has fixed a 400-meter-long plastic water pipe line into a metallic pipe that was earlier vandalized by local scrap dealers within Bunagana town.

According to Walaka, this project will provide safe water to Tshengerero Center and the surrounding villages of Mukingo, Cheya, Rubona, and Kibindi localities (Parishes) in Jomba Group Sub County.

He said that lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation is the underlying cause of the water-borne epidemics as the community resorted to using contaminated water and food, coupled with poor disposal in some parts of Mabenga and Rutshuru.

“We cannot say that we are in the DRC to provide peace and security to the people of Rutshuru territory when people lack water as one of the basic needs of life.

Sejumba Kamara, the local Chief of the area, thanked the UPDF for their quick and timely response to the community.

“This time, we shall protect the water pipes to ensure that no one tampers with the facility, including its accessories,” said Sejumba.

The cholera epidemic was registered in some areas of Mabenga and Kiwanja, as reported by Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) and the Red Cross Society in June 2023, and has so far claimed 13 lives.