The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have reported the killing of 11 suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. These individuals are believed to be connected to the recent tragic murders of two foreign tourists and a local tour guide within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The victims, David Barlow, a UK national, Celia Geyer from South Africa, and their guide Eric Aryayi, fell prey to suspected ADF rebels in a horrific incident last month.
The UPDF, in collaboration with the Special Forces Command (SFC), had been actively pursuing the culprits since the heinous attack. To bring the suspects to justice, these security forces worked cohesively, leveraging intelligence and strategic deployment at Kayanja Landing Site along Lake Edward. The operation reached its climax at approximately 7 pm when a boat carrying the suspected killers, presumably attempting to flee into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was cornered and subjected to heavy gunfire. As a result, 11 of the suspects met their demise.
UPDF Deputy Spokesperson, Colonel Deo Akiiki, confirmed the successful operation, stating, “It is true that some ADF terrorists whom we have been tracking since they attacked our tourists were finally got on their boat and a number of them were killed in a very well intelligence-led operation.”
Crucially, the command of this operation was under the supervision of Colonel Saula and Colonel Jet, who respectively commanded the UPDF Marine and Mountain Brigade. The operation was orchestrated with precision and guided by intelligence. It culminated in a coordinated night operation that saw the suspected ADF rebels facing the combined firepower of the UPDF Marine, Special Forces, and 222nd and 301st Brigade infantry squads.
Colonel Akiiki emphasized the significance of this operation by noting, “It should be noted that this was a part of the group that killed the tourists. The operation is still on to finish all the splinter groups of ADF.”
Over the past few months, Kasese has witnessed a grim toll, with at least 50 lives claimed by ADF-affiliated groups between June and October. Among the victims, a significant number were students at Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe town, situated near the Uganda-DRC border.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly affirmed that ADF camps in the DRC have been targeted and bombed through airstrikes, compelling the insurgents to disperse and seek refuge in various parts of Uganda.
According to Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, ADF terrorists are now in retreat as their DRC-based camps have suffered devastating blows. The security forces remain vigilant in the ongoing effort to ensure the safety and security of the region.
