ADF threat: Security embarks on road patrols in Kasese
Oct 17, 2023
The move by the Government, he says, is aimed at preventing ambushes on vehicles carrying people with their goods by suspected Allied Democratic Forces rebels.
Godfrey Kabbyanga, state Minister for ICT and National Guidance urging road users to remain calm and secured as UPDF is doing routine patrols. (Photos by Samuel Amanyire)
Samuel Amanyire
Journalist @New Vision
__________________________ A truck carrying cement from Hima heading to DR. Congo along Hima-Kikorongo road
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have started routine patrols at night along major roads and highways in Kasese district, information state minister Godfrey Kabbyanga has said.
The move by the Government, he says, is aimed at preventing ambushes on vehicles carrying people with their goods by suspected Allied Democratic Forces rebels.
Kabbyanga made the revelations on Monday during a media briefing at the Shilo Hotel located in Kasese municipality.
The development comes barely a week after suspected ADF rebels ambushed an onion-laden trailer with registration number UBN 024L, which was moving along Kikorongo-Mpondwe road a few minutes after midnight.
The attack, which took place at Katolhu village of Nyakiyumbu sub-county in Kasese district, left the trailer in ashes, two of its occupants dead with a woman burnt beyond recognition and two nursing wounds at Bwera General Hospital.
“Fortunately, people were traveling even the next day including me who traveled from Kasese town to Bwera at night bypassing several other vehicles moving. This is because the army is now very conscious and is patrolling the road," Kabbyanga said.
He added that the recent ADF ambush on a trailer was just an isolated case and, therefore, does not need to cause any curfew and urged drivers to continue using the road any time without fear.
Kabbyanga appealed to the general population that if they suspect any household housing ADF operatives, they should secretly inform the army.
“Indeed, there must be some collaborators and you never know; some people might be hiding them, but there are so many leads and we shall come to the source of that problem,” Kabbyanga explained.
Remain vigilant
Kasese Resident District Commissioner Lt. Joe Walusimbi, who is also the head of security in the district lauded the community for remaining vigilant and urged them to avail timely information, especially about families whose relatives could be members of ADF and are using their homesteads as hideouts.
Survivor speaks out
Clair Biira, 40, one of the survivors of the recent attack and was sleeping behind the driver’s seat said their vehicle stopped moving after the tires were shot.
“They came, shot at the driver to death, pulled the rest out of the vehicle as I remained silent under my cover, then after jumped out on realizing that the vehicle had been set on fire,” Biira said.
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