The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF), operating under the East African Regional Force (EACRF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), completed a water project for the residents of the Rutshuru territory in North Kivu yesterday, June 1. This was part of their corporate social responsibility to the community.

According to the local chief of Rutshuru territory in North Kivu, Mr. Ngagijimana Ndianabo Kakosi, the water points will serve the communities of Niongera, Bwironde, Ruweze, Kiwanja, Rutshuru, and Kinyandoni town, which have suffered for two years with no adequate clean water.

The crisis arose as a result of fractured water pipelines that were damaged, forcing people to use dirty, stagnant, contaminated water that had caused a number of water-borne diseases, including bilharzia, typhoid, among others.

Kakosi noted that regardless of sectarianism, he admired the contingent’s compassion, professionalism, and ideology for being a pro-people army for the civilian populace.

“Although you are from Uganda and we are Congolese, you have a profound understanding of the difficulties facing the people in this region. May God bless the UPDF, who value peace,” said Chief Kikosi.

He urged the community to protect and maintain the water facility’s cleanliness and to guard it jealously against any damage or impurities for the sake of future generations, as clean water is essential to a healthy existence.

Captain Elias Arinaitwe, the Deputy Chief of the UPDF Continent Engineering Unit, confirmed that water is now flowing and that the community can use clean water more safely than before, particularly with the newly installed taps that prevent congestion at collection points.

The UPDF contingent, which is on a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is committed to ensuring the fulfillment of the EACRF mandate by providing complete support to the civilian population in an effort to stabilize areas under its control.