Kigali — The first of batch of 5th battalion soldiers returned home yesterday from Darfur, Sudan from where they have been serving under the United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

The troops were based in Darfur's sector north, Zam Zam, under Maj. Fredrick Itangayenda.

Hours earlier, another 200 troops of the 73rd battalion under the command of Col. Chris Murari left for Darfur to replace their returning counterparts.

The returning troops were received at Kigali International Airport by Brig. Gen. Augustin Turagara who thanked them for a job well done.

Gen. Turagara told the troops that they always come back home with many good accomplishments, an encouragement well emphasized by the group's second in command - Maj. Fidel Butare.

"The many good things first of all include our achievements - because the security situation back there is better now than it was when we first went there, a year ago," Maj. Butare said.

The rotation exercise that kicked off late last month is scheduled to be concluded by December 23.