BUNDIBUGYO – Uganda People’s Defence Forces have launched another strike, hitting two camps of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists in DR Congo. A total of six ADF camps have so far been hit since operation Shujaa was launched two weeks ago.
“One of the main activities we have been doing is collection of intelligence in all those areas we engaged with artillery and air strikes on November 30, when we launched operation Shujaa,” the deputy Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson, Lt. Col Ronald Kakurungu, told journalists in Bundibugyo district.
He added: “Intelligence pinpointed other positions in the Erigenti Triangle close to where the initial strikes were (Kambi, Yayu, Belu 1 and Belu 2) and so last night we engaged targets close to the former camps that we hit.”
Kakurungu said the UPDF would continue advancing to two positions across River Semuliki, from where they would launch mobile operations to track down the enemy.
He encouraged Ugandans to remain vigilant because ADF is still committing atrocities in DR Congo.
“That is why we have re-enforced deployments across the border to make sure that these can act as a blocking force in case they try to cross into Uganda,” he said.
Kakurungu said over 60 ADF rebels have since last night surrendered to the Congolese forces.
Camps destroyed
Over the weekend, a joint force of the UPDF and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) captured 34 ADF terrorists, destroyed four camps and rescued 31 Congolese hostages.
In a joint statement signed by UPDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso and Maj. Gen. Leon Richard Kansonga Cibangu of FARDC read: “The preliminary results of the airstrikes and artillery of November 30, 2021 shows that 31 Congolese hostages were released, 34 ADFterrorists captured and four enemy camps destroyed.”
Sensitising population
The statement indicated that in order to gain loyalty of the population and reverse the harmful propaganda instilled by the ADF and their allies, the FARDC and UPDF had launched a vast awareness campaign and are carrying out civil-military actions which are already bearing fruit.
The joint statement also indicated that the FARDC and UPDF are currently engaged in road construction and rehabilitation works to facilitate and further secure movement of soldiers and the displaced civilian population, particularly on the Mbau-Kamango and Nobili axes, Kamango-Semuliki-Beni.
Signed agreement
Uganda and DR Congo have signed a final agreement on the joint operation against ADF.
The agreement, which was signed by the defence ministers of both countries, provides a framework for joint deployment, pooling of resources and also extends the mandate of the UPDF to not only pursue ADF, but also all armed groups operating within the conflict-riddled eastern DR Congo.
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