UPDF strikes four ADF hideouts in DR Congo

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Sunday announced significant gains in the fight against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists following a series of successful airstrikes in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, October 14.

The operation, Museveni said, conducted by Uganda’s fighter-bombers, targeted four ADF locations situated at varying distances from the Uganda-DR Congo border.

“Our fighter-bombers paid a visit to the ADF terrorists at 4 different points. These points were at: 72kms, 120kms, 69kms and 130kms from the border on the Bundibugyo-Semiliki side. It seems quite a number of terrorists were killed,” he said in a statement.

“As a consequence, the terrorists are running from Congo which they thought was heaven and re-entering Uganda and trying to commit some random terrorist acts,” he added.

Museveni said Friday’s attack on a truck ferrying onions to the market across the DR Congo border, near Bweera, Kasese, may have been perpetrated by such elements.

Museveni cautioned the public, urging them to remain vigilant and report any unfamiliar or suspicious individuals to the nearest authorities.

The warning highlighted the possibility of remaining ADF members attempting to seek refuge within local communities, potentially posing a threat to public safety.

In November 2021, Uganda and the DRC launched a joint operation code-named Operation Shujaa to root out the ADF in eastern DR Congo following escalated attacks by the rebels in both countries in 2021.

This is the third attack linked to the ADF rebels since the start of 2023.

Museveni emphasised the ongoing commitment of the Ugandan government to combat terrorism and maintain national security against potential threats from extremist groups.