Security officials have asked the public to help identify potential collaborators with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) for appropriate action. Authorities have reported that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) successfully thwarted an attempt by suspected militants to enter Uganda through the porous border town of Kasese on Friday night.
Heavy gunfire was heard in Nyabugando I Cell, Nyabugando Ward of Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town on Friday night as UPDF soldiers extended an operation against suspected ADF militants from the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
Mwesige Sibayirwa, a resident of Kisebere-Nyabugando I Cell, informed Monitor that gunshots began around 11:30 pm on Friday and continued past midnight.
Kasese Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Lt. Joe Walusimbi revealed that the militants “encountered a quick and prepared response from the UPDF, preventing them from carrying out any harmful activities.”
Walusimbi, who also heads security in Kasese District, shared that intelligence reports indicated that the ADF had plans to infiltrate Uganda and steal medication from nearby healthcare facilities, specifically Mamasabina Orthodox Community Health Centre and Nyabugando Health Centre III.
“We have learned that the adversaries were possibly interested in abducting medical personnel,” he added.
“Their attempt to cross right after the facilities received new drug supplies suggests that there may still be individuals within our community who are providing them with information,” Walusimbi informed reporters on Saturday.
Security officials have called on the public to assist in identifying suspected ADF collaborators for necessary actions.
The porous border point where the suspected ADF insurgents were repelled is the same location where the militant group entered Uganda in June, resulting in the tragic school attack that claimed the lives of 44 people, including 38 students.
“I believe we need military barracks in this area because we often encounter suspicious individuals, and when we try to approach them, they flee. We request that more soldiers be stationed here,” said Rosemary Masika, a local resident.
Another resident, Stephen Kato, emphasized the need for improved communication in the Rwenzori Sub-Region.
“Our phone networks are consistently poor, often showing DR Congo telecom networks. It is crucial that we resolve this issue promptly so that we can easily alert authorities when necessary,” he stated.
