UPDF hails Congo for fighting ADF rebels

By Wilson Asiimwe

KASESE - The UPDF has hailed the Congolese army for intensifying operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

The ADF have reportedly been re-organising in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after being flashed out of the Rwenzori Mountains.

The UPDF 2nd Division commander, Brig. Peter Elwelu, said this while receiving Maj. Gen. Ambamba Bahuma, the North Kivu (DRC) regional military commander at Mpondwe on the Uganda- DRC border.

The two sides held a meeting about cross border security.

“The ADF has for long been a threat to the two countries, but ever since the Congolese army launched ‘Operation Sikhulul’ in January this year, most of their bases have been destroyed and we are happy,” Elwelu said.

He praised the Congolese army, saying they had done a great job in flashing out the rebels, who have been regrouping and training in the jungles of the DRC, with the aim of attacking Uganda.

Elwelu said because of Congo’s intensified operations against the ADF, all their (ADF) camps had been destroyed and the rebels were now scattered.

“Before the Congolese army’s intervention, the ADF were moving freely and training, but that is now history. The remaining few operate in small groups and in hiding,” Elwelu said.

During the Wednesday meeting, the parties discussed, among other things, the promotion of security in the two countries.

Ambamba said they are working closely with the UPDF to ensure that peace and calm is restored in the area so that people can carry out their businesses without fear.

He said his visit to Uganda was aimed at sharing information with his Ugandan counterparts on the possible measures that can bring peace and stability. “

We have a very good relationship with Uganda. I am sure that we are going to use this relationship to improve security in our countries.”

Maj. Ronald Kakurungu, the UPDF 2nd Division spokesperson, said the recent attacks in the Rwenzori region had affected trade.

“In case of insecurity on either side of the border, traders suffer much,” Kakurungu said.

The army man said Operation Sikhulul had helped to flash out the remnants of the ADF in the eastern parts of the DRC.

On either sides of the border, businesses were paralysed for several hours as people came to see a Congolese army general crossing into Uganda, for the first time since Presidents Joseph Kabila and Yoweri Museveni held a meeting in the no-man’s land in 2008.


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