The Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have issued a call for calm and heightened vigilance in both the Mount Rwenzori region and the Kampala Metropolitan Area following alerts of potential incursions by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. Col Deo Akiiki, the deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MoDVA), revealed that intelligence reports indicated the entry of an unknown number of ADF rebels into Uganda over the past weekend.
According to Col Akiiki, these rebels, led by a senior field commander, are allegedly plotting attacks in urban centers, worship places, and public gatherings. Among the suspected commanders mentioned were Ahamed Muhamood Hassan, alias Abu Waqas, a Tanzanian-born ADF bomb expert, along with Muhammed Issa, Amigo Kibirige, aka Simba, Muhamad Lumisa, and Nasser Hamid Diiru. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to avoid becoming victims of potential ADF attacks.
The ADF, known for its sporadic attacks since 2014, has targeted soft targets such as bars, schools, trucks, and roadside markets. Reports indicate over 200 fatalities in 30 attacks in Uganda since July 2001, with a recent attack in June 2023 resulting in the deaths of over 41 individuals, primarily students at Lubhiriha Secondary School in Kasese District. Some abducted students remain missing.
The recent visit to the Mount Rwenzori region by the commander of the Land Forces, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, has fueled concerns over increased threat levels. However, Lt Gen Muhanga assured the public that efforts were underway to neutralize any ADF presence within Uganda, emphasizing ongoing operations against the rebels in eastern DR Congo.
Communities in Fort Portal City and districts like Kasese, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, and Kamwenge have previously experienced ADF attacks. Local leaders and security officials have urged citizens to remain vigilant, with measures such as training school security guards and enhancing overall security readiness being undertaken.
In February of this year, the deployment of 592 Local Defense Unit (LDU) personnel from Kamwenge and Bunyangabu districts aimed to bolster security efforts at the grassroots level, particularly in areas vulnerable to ADF threats. Additionally, Operation Shujaa, initiated in November 2021, continues to target ADF rebels, with thousands of soldiers deployed in eastern DR Congo.
Despite security efforts, challenges persist, such as the lack of clear demarcation on Lake Albert, leading to border disputes and conflicts between Ugandan and Congolese fishermen. Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa, commander of the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit, refuted claims of inadequate protection, attributing conflicts to fishermen trespassing into Congolese waters.
As the UPDF and DR Congo forces maintain operations against the ADF, citizens are urged to cooperate with security forces and remain vigilant to mitigate potential threats posed by the rebel group.
